Development of a comprehensive e-training programme on microbiological safety in food chains for current and future professionals

The industry needs reliable data and support tools to ensure the microbiological quality of products upon receipt of raw materials, during the various stages of product processing and when it is placed on the market until consumption. Better control of the microbiological quality of food products also makes it possible to fight against food loss and waste. Besides trained staff, graduates from food studies trained towards the development of microbiological competences can fill this current skills gap in the food industry and have an increased employability. Undergraduate students and professionals need to have continuous access to transnational knowledge, research and societal trends to keep their standards and their commitments on local and European regulations up to date. As the COVID-19 crisis arose, it has greatly accelerated the need for digital transformation of education and training systems in Europe. The challenge now is to better integrate these e-learning activities in vocational, higher and life-long learning educations. At both instances, agricultural education and food industry, there is a need to have more interactive and encompassing e-learning tools that take into account the specific features of the food industry

The aim of the project is to develop an interactive online training programme on microbiological risks in food, in order to improve the capacity of students, educators, researchers, and agri-food professionals (including SMEs and small-scale producers). This training has the particularity of having a strong practical aspect, use interactive tools, is free of charge, self-paced, with 3 levels corresponding to the knowledge /experience of the learners, and is certified at European level (EQAS food certificate). Objectives The objectives of the project are as follows: - to contribute to the dissemination and transfer of knowledge on microbiological food safety to target users with limited access to in-person learning in the field of agri food; - at the beginning of the project, we had to face the context linked to COVID-19, to ensure the continuity of the training of food industry professionals and students/teachers, including laboratorial work, by developing an online learning platform on microbiological food safety; and - to improve the training offer currently available on microbiological food safety by expanding on applied aspects and promoting the practical aspects of knowledge to our audience.