Brussels-based COLEACP, an interprofessional association dedicated to ACP-EU horticultural trade, has announced the launch of its distance-learning platform, which aims to combine sustainability and performance to create a more consistent and continuous training system.
'There was a recognition of the need to put an end to the ongoing seminars, as these have often led to information workshops and training workshops being confused,' the organisation said in a press release.
According to COLEACP, education experts have now become as important as specialists in food safety.
For the new platform, the desired skills to be achieved were used to determine what type of technical and educational courses should be implemented.
'Dictating the means and approaches to be adopted were the working conditions, the profiles of participants and the market requirements,' the organisation revealed. 'From engineers to workers, and from managers to small-scale producers, all needs have been taken into account.'
Among the tools that have been designed, tested and developed are 15 training modules, field training manuals and a 'tool-box' that includes a self-learning CD and library.
'This technical and educational evolution stands out as one of the best ways to greatly increase the impact of PIP, by increasing the number of programme beneficiaries, at what is ultimately a marginal cost,' COLEACP stated.
