Who we are

We are a not-for-profit skills charity, formally known as The Meat Training Council, which was set up in 1986. After re-branding in 2014 we became the Food and Drink Training and Education Council, or ftc. Now representing the food industry as a whole, within our group we also have FDQ, the leading food qualifications awarding and end-point assessment body, and the Institute of Meat (IoM). 

ftc is headed up by Christine Walsh, a food industry expert known for developing successful training and leadership programmes both with industry and education, including Harper Adams, Cranfield and Cambridge university. Christine is supported by a board that not only have over 100 years of meat industry experience, but decades of knowledge from other food sectors and  vocational education too. Like you, we’ve run businesses and training programmes. So we’ve seen first-hand what a difference improving skills can make, not only to your people but also to your bottom line.

Having FDQ as part of the group gives the Food and Drink Training and Education Council a unique 360 degree perspective on food training and apprenticeships. We now have the expertise at our fingertips to provide companies with guidance on everything they might need to know about modern apprenticeships and food industry qualifications. FDQ is headed up by CEO, Terry Fennell, and has Jane Downes as its Chair.

The third point of our triangle, the IoM, reflects our close connections with the meat industry. The IoM upholds and awards the highest standards in butchery and supports the development of butcher qualifications and butchery training in general. In fact, it was central to developing the first Butchery Trailblazer Apprenticeship. The IoM is run by fourth generation Master Butcher, Keith Fisher, alongside Chairman, Bill Jermey.