Previous SMILE project
The past SMILE project (2017-2019) was designed to help and support brewing enthusiasts seeking to establish a career in the brewing industry. The SMILE Certificate in Brewing Entrepreneurship advanced knowledge of brewing and fulfiled the skills requirements of the industry in the areas of Brewery Operations, Business and Due Diligence.
Our mission
The SMILE project helps brewers establish a career in the brewing industry. The SMILE Certificate in Brewing Entrepreneurship advances knowledge of brewing and fulfills the skills and requirements of the industry in the areas of Brewery Operations, Business and Due Diligence.
Core goals:
We have created an entry level qualification for professional brewers.
Support Micro Brewing networks both nationally and internationally.
Promoting micro brewing locally using local produce.
Providing a path for members to advance a career in Brewing.
Establishing a clear path for members to advance a career in Brewing.
The main outputs of the project are as follows:
1.
An industry research report incorporating needs analysis for the industry for partner countries and EU as a whole, and gap analysis of the deficiencies in the existing VET provision, and outlining the new curricula to be developed through the SMILE project.
2.
Accredited ‘apprenticeship-type’ training programme. (Included developed curricula, and training materials incorporating e-learning modules, classroom modules and work placement modules).
3.
Website to support the training and a newly established European Micro-Brewers network.
PROJECT RESULTS
1.
SMILE Certificate in Brewing Entrepreneurship
The purpose of this award is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to establish a career in the brewing industry. The Smile Certificate is a working qualification that will cater for all areas of setting up an Independent Brewing business and surviving.
Learners will be able to:
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Understand and apply brewing practices and to competently produce a creditable brew.
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Know and be able to apply common business knowledge required to develop a brewing business.
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Be up to date with the regulatory requirements for commercial brewing.
In the ‘SMILE QUALIFICATION 2018’ document, (download it below), first proposal for the SMILE Qualification, ‘SMILE Certificate in Brewing Entrepreneurship’ is presented. This proposal was developed after a period of primary research, in consultation with the industry, and with brewers of all levels, skills and experience in the Partner countries and beyond. In conclusion of our research, this is the training that the industry wants.
The Course is an entry level qualification, designed to prepare the learner in 3 fundamental components of brewing operations:
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Brewing – This component may be delivered through e-learning, classroom or distance learning, or by a blended program. The program must include a minimum of one-week on-site in a brewery, hands-on experience to familiarise the student with the physical reality of brewery equipment and processes.
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Business – In this component learners will gain an understanding of the business environment that a brewery operates, including strategic planning, financing, marketing and selling.
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Due Diligence – The commercial brewer has to operate within a controlled environment to ensure quality and regulative compliance. This component prepares the learner to understand these aspects when taking up employment in a commercial brewery.
2.
SMILE Report
The SMILE REPORT below provides an overview of the Brewing Industry in Europe, with a particular focus on the SMILE Project partner countries and the training pathways that exist. This study also shows that the training and development sector for brewers has been considerably invigorated by the advent of the craft and micro brewing as traditional segmentation into vocational vs. academic education is not necessarily valid in some cases.
PROJECT PARTNERS
MEAG – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Mullingar Employment Action Group (MEAG) is a community supported ‘not for profit’ organisation focused on the support and development of enterprise, and on personal development and preparedness of individuals for the world of work.
INN TRAINING – UK ENGLAND
Inn training deliver a large range of short due diligence courses such as Food Safety, Licensing, Health and Safety L1-3, First Aid L1-3, as well as a range of apprenticeships covering Hospitality, Customer Service, Management and Team Leading.
ASSOCIAZIONE ARTISTICA CULTURALE A ROCCA – ITALY
Non-profit organization Located in the northern part of Sicily provides training in diverse sectors including Food & Beverage and Agriculture Management. A Rocca, through his international department Eprojectconsult have huge experience in the field of education.
GLAFKA s.r.o. – CZECH REPUBLIC
GLAFKA is educational institution focus on knowledge and innovation transfer in a field of a) lifelong learning and further education; b) labor market and entrepreneurship; c) teaching and training methods and technologies
DRAMBLYS Social Creativity Lab – SPAIN
DRAMBLYS is an international non-profit socio-cultural organization which aspires to serve as an interactive platform and meeting point to exchange, design, inspire and promote social innovation projects and creative alternatives.
EUROPEAN BREWERY CONVENTION / BREWERS OF EUROPE
The European Brewery Convention is the technical and scientific arm of the ‘Brewers of Europe’, the voice of the brewing sector in Europe. Members are the national brewing trade associations representing brewers in most EU countries, including Switzerland, Norway and Turkey as associated members.
