Abstract:

One of the priorities of the EU policies is to ensure food safety by finding effective and integrated solutions and developing better ways of assuring microbiological security in food. The main objective of this project is the development of an innovative e-learning programme on Quality Systems for food microbiological laboratories, contributing to ensure food safety harmonization of European legislation on safety and health.

MicroQLAb, is an European Commission funded project, developed in collaboration with 4 European partners attending to the need of professional development for staff in line with industry and organization needs and objectives.

The course will aim to:
- Improve the quality of the performance of microbiological analysis by taking into account all the factors that influence the result.
- Improve the efficiency of training in the implementation of quality systems by an interactive and attractive e-learning solution that will reduce learning efforts.
- Contribute to modernize higher education and quality in VET (Vocational Education & Training), in order to keep up with the globalization and the technological developments all over Europe by the inclusion of new ITC tools.
- Improve skills and qualifications, facilitate personal development and employability for trainees that need to acquire practical competence to access the labour market in the analytical field and food testing.
- Improve the competitiveness of the food sector by strengthening the abilities of employees on food control, quality assurance, growth and internationalization.

Expected results:
The main project result is an E-learning programme available in 5 different languages that will facilitate the implementation of a Quality System for microbiological food testing laboratories.

An innovative training methodology will allow to achieve an interactive, innovative and attractive product.

The project will allow to set the basis for the development of more courses within the fields of natural science, engineering and technology, by giving an example of a training programme interesting and engaging with innovative aspects allowing participants to interact through virtual platforms.

Keywords:

Lifelong learning, on-line training, microbiology laboratoires, quality system.