The Diploma in Food Studies at St Angela’s College, Sligo focuses on food enterprise, innovation, entrepreneurship and food safety management is funded under the Springboard 2012 programme announced today

Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn announced the new Springboard programmes today (Monday) including the Diploma in Food Studies (Level 7) at St Angela’s College Sligo. The College received confirmation of 32 fully-funded places on this part-time two-year programme. With over 500 applications to the Springboard programme in 2012, St Angela’s College, Sligo has become the first smaller institution in Ireland to receive this funding, which in the past concentrated in the universities and institutes of technology.

‘The food sector is identified in several national documents as a key area of economic and employment growth in Ireland,’ explains Dr Anne Taheny, President of St Angela’s College, Sligo, ‘Interest in the food sector has never been higher, and the North West is key region for the development of agri-food businesses along with artisan and organic products. It is anticipated that graduates of the Diploma in Food Studies will acquire specialist food knowledge with the business and entrepreneurship expertise to be highly desirable for employment in the growing food sector.’ Dr Taheny notes that graduates will also have the background and skills to start their own food business.

The Springboard programme is part of the government’s Jobs Initiative, focusing on unemployed people who had lost their jobs and who would benefit from up-skilling to get back into sustainable employment. To coincide with the announcement by the Minister today, the online programme Web site www.springboardcourses.ie is live today, which outlines to prospective students the wide array of Springboard courses. ‘The College welcome direct queries about the Diploma of Food Studies, as some people will probably be wondering how the programme could be beneficial to securing employment in the food sector,’ explains Amanda McCloat, Head of Home Economics, ‘As a small and supportive College we can help prospective students decide if a career in food or opening a food business is for them.’

‘We also have extensive links with the food industry,’ adds Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of the programme and lecturer in Food Studies, ‘St Angela’s Food Technology Centre, based on campus works directly with food businesses and both the Food Centre and College have a good working relationship with small, medium and multi-national companies.’

Last week the state-of-the-art facilities at the College were the epicentre of the culinary competitions for Só Sligo Food and Culture Festival. The level of participation in these cooking competitions from professionals and the general public was extensive, showing the ongoing interest in food in the region. With local emphasis on food enterprise programmes, such as Sligo Leitrim Food Forum or the Donegal Food Coast, there is no better time to consider career opportunities in the food sector. For more information on the programme, visit www.springboardcourses.ie or www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie/springboard