Tomra Food has launched an online learning resource for packhouse professionals in the fresh produce industry.
Packhouse Academy will offer a wide range of on-demand videos, live interactive webinars, and user-driven training modules.
The platform has been designed to help businesses overcome skills shortages in machine operation and other specialist packhouse roles.
“A good machine operator allows a packhouse to maximize investment in technology for better pack-out and profitability,” Tomra Food said in a statement.
“Until now, a lack of training pathways has typically meant packhouses themselves had to train their staff in setting-up and operating machinery for optimal results.
“As technology and industry best practices continually evolve, Packhouse Academy makes it easy to keep pace by developing and maintaining the skills necessary for competitive advantage.”
Packhouse Academy’s Tier One content is free to access. It helps build or affirm general industry knowledge, as well as covering topics specific to operating Tomra Food equipment.
Tier Two is premium content, accessible to paid subscribers. It complements, and sometimes substitutes for, the Instructor-Led Training (ILT) workshops at Tomra Food’s seven global training centres and onsite coaching at customers’ premises.
Packhouse Academy will initially offer 75 courses, which can be taken in part and then completed at a later date.
Training will be deployed through a personalised learning portal, making it possible for individuals to study at their own speed via desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
“This is an opportunity for individuals to develop their careers and get their skills recognised by professional certificates, and for packhouses to operate at their maximum potential,” said Roydon Adlam, global customer training manager of Tomra Fresh Food.
“We expect the courses on operators’ skills and new software releases to be the most popular because these will help advance the attainment of benefits from our customers’ investments in machinery.”
