Marvin OnumonuThe University of Nottingham has partnered with Briggs of Burton to launch a training academy for the food and drink sector.
The academy will offer both theory and practical training for Briggs of Burton staff, while also giving students hands-on experience.
The university’s faculty of engineering will work with Briggs of Burton to look at research and future innovation.
The international centre for brewing science, based at the university, is already home to a research pilot brewery designed and built by Briggs of Burton.
The centre will now expand, offering training to give Briggs of Burton teams the knowledge needed to deliver projects and build a pipeline of engineers, including mechanical, electrical/control, chemical/process, and industrial automation/software engineers.
The research pilot brewery is a full working factory with advanced instrumentation, control and automation.
Using it as a training base will allow both the Briggs of Burton team and students to develop skills in hygienic process design, industrial process control, and health and safety.
Experts from both the university and Briggs of Burton will deliver a mix of theory and practical training on site.
Training will include hands-on brewing days, process engineering sessions, and health and safety workshops.
The partnership will also let manufacturers, suppliers and customers use the research pilot brewery as a hub to learn more about hygienic process.
Professor Sam Kingman, provost and deputy vice chancellor at the University of Nottingham, said: “Our new partnership with Briggs of Burton further strengthens our position as a leading centre for excellence in brewing research.
“This is an exciting new partnership which showcases how industry and the university can work closely together.
“It allows us to support Brigg’s objectives to be a sector-leader, creates new research projects and new employment pathways for our students.”
Robert Buxton, CEO of Briggs of Burton, said: “The Research Pilot Brewery at the University still surprises people with respect to its design, layout, finish, and sophisticated instrumentation/control.
“Supporting the learning and development of our current and future work-force is a major focus for our business and providing further hands-on access to this excellent facility and world class teaching from the team at the University will provide opportunities to members of our own team and potential future engineers.”
Jo Simpson, chief revenue officer at the University of Nottingham, said: “This new partnership brings another global-leading organisation onto our campus to benefit from our unique ecosystem. It is a relationship that is driven by excellence.
“Combining the very best of our facilities and technical staff with a truly sector-leading company. We are proud to support the ambitions of Briggs to develop their outstanding workforce alongside creating important new opportunities for our students to interact directly with industry.
“This is just the starting point of what is going to be a very exciting partnership.”
