The EQVEGAN Project has analysed four food-industry occupational profiles from the ESCO database, identifying missing skills/competences and knowledge that are required for the vegan food industry (VFI). The occupational profiles are the following:

• The Fruit and Vegetable Preserver, who aims to keep preserved perishable foods in a stable form by performing duties such as freezing, preserving, packing after sorting, grading, washing, peeling, trimming and slicing agricultural products (Educational level: Vocational Education and Training-at School of Vocational Education, EQF level 4).
• The Food Production Operator, who performs manufacturing operations and processes to foods and beverages, performs packaging, operates machines manually or automatically, follows predetermined procedures, and takes food safety regulations on board (Educational level: Vocational Education and Training-at School of Vocational Education, EQF level 4).
• The Food Technician, who assists food technologists in the development of processes for manufacturing foodstuffs and related products based on chemical, physical, and biological principles (Educational level: Specialization Studies-short cycle, EQF level 5).
• The Food Technologist, who develops processes for manufacturing foodstuffs and related products based on chemical, physical, and biological principles and technology (Educational level: Bachelor and Master Degrees, EQF levels 6 and 7).

More information about the updated skills/competences and knowledge for each occupation can be found in the EQVEGAN report “Occupational profiles for the vegan food industry professionals”. A comparison of some national qualifications frameworks across Europe with the EQF levels can be also found here.

The next step will be to develop training based on the aforementioned skill needs. This portal will soon offer training opportunities for students and professionals that aim to improve their Food Industry skills, particularly in the areas of:

• Technology of new plant-based products
• Soft skills
• Green skills
• Digital and automation skills

Training modules, at different education levels, will be offered by the following EQVEGAN partners:

Country	Provider/Contact	EQF level*	Designation
Croatia	FFTB Anet Režek Jambrak	6 7	Sveučilišni preddiplomski studiji Sveučilišni diplomski studiji
Finland	SeAMK Jarmo Alarinta	5 6	Erikoisammattitutkinnot, specialyrkesexamina Alemmat korkeakoulututkinnot, lägre högskoleexamina
France	ACTIA Gemma Cornuau	4 5	Brevet professionnel Brevet de technicien supérieur
Malta	MCAST Kenny Muscat	4 5	VET diploma/advanced diploma Undergraduate diploma
Poland	PULS Dorota Piasecka-Kwiatkowska	6 7	Dyplom ukończenia studiów pierwszego stopnia Dyplom ukończenia studiów drugiego stopnia
Portugal	SICÓ Luis Rocha	4	Cursos de dupla certificação (certificação escolar de nível secundário e certificação profissional)
Portugal	IPC Rui Costa	5 6	Curso Técnico Superior Profissional Licenciatura
Turkey	AU Ferruh Erdogdu	6 7	Bachelor diploma Master diploma
Turkey	TAGEM Ahmet Budaklier	5 6	Associate diploma Bachelor diploma

Are you a training provider and wish to offer these trainings? Please contact the project coordinator Rui Costa and/or the national contact provided in the table above.