The grant, provided by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), will run from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2011, and will cover the implementation phase of the current project funded in conjunction with National Pork Board.

The Professional Swine Manager/Technician Certification Program is designed to meet the industry need for consistent, research-based instruction on all phases of pork production.

“This new grant fits well with our mission in terms of training and education,“ says US Pork Center of Excellence (USPCE) Executive Director David Meisinger. “It complements the work of the Swine Science Online project, which involves four-year institutions, by allowing us to focus on two-year institutions and a certification programme for all workers.“

Participants in the programme may receive two types of certification: certified technician in breeding, farrowing, and/or grow-finishing, and certified swine manager. Courses will be broadcast in real-time to several sites throughout the country. Certification is obtained by successfully completing an on-line, proctored test. Certification and training records will be recorded by USPCE and National Pork Board in a database accessible to employers.