It was while speaking at a recent British Poultry Council seminar on education in the poultry industry that Dr Sparks presented his fledgling idea for SAC and Shropshire's Harper Adams University College to consider the feasibility of working in partnership.

He explained: "SAC and Harper Adams are the only two institutions delivering full-time education tailored for the poultry industry. I believe that while we could continue delivering our separate programmes, the time is now right to consider whether a UK-wide set of qualifications covering sub-degree, degree and postgraduate level education would be better than the current institute-specific provision. This would create a simplified structure. Developing the courses in close partnership with the poultry industry would ensure they are tailored to produce graduates with the right skills and knowledge to meet the industry's needs."

The proposal received a warm response from industry bodies the British Poultry Council and the British Egg Industry Council, said Dr Sparks.

Jackie Newman, HR Manager with P.D. Hook Hatcheries and a member of the British Poultry Council's HR Committee, also expressed support. She said: "I believe that it is imperative that we get more young people into the industry and that a joint approach by SAC and Harper Adams to producing a range of nationwide courses is key to achieving this. I look forward to being involved as this initiative progresses."