Niagara College launched its first online global brewing academy this summer with the support of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute (CFWI) and Global Education and Partnerships (GEP) division.
“Niagara College was Canada’s first teaching brewery at a public college and through its years of experience in the field and close collaboration with the brewing industry in Canada, NC has been able to share its experience, expertise and innovative solutions in beverage processing and development with partners globally,” shared Sean Coote, director, International. “This opportunity is made possible thanks to the support of Global Affairs Canada through the Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development.”
Drawing on the expertise of NC’s Teaching Brewery, the College was recently awarded a Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management training project in Bhutan, South Asia, with the particular goal of supporting female brewers in the country. This technical assistance is funded by Global Affairs Canada through the Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development.
The project’s collective aim is to support the development of a gender-inclusive, sustainable craft brewing employment sector. Over the next year, NC is collaborating with Ser Bhum Brewery Private Ltd. to help the company in growing a sustainable business that supports the growth of females in management and operational leadership roles, while assisting the brewery in producing high-quality craft beer for domestic and export markets.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NC adapted the project’s program delivery method to an online format and in turn, has provided greater access to beverage innovation training to Ser Bhum Brewery employees. NC’s adaptation to online delivery also continues to support United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG four, quality education.
As part of the CFWI International Brew Academy, Ser Bhum employees have now completed two of seven online modules, Introduction to Brewing and Brewing Industry and History, and are currently being delivered module three by NC assistant brewer, Bradley Barta.
Each module is delivered over the course of one month and consists of up to two hours of live instruction from NC experts twice per week via an open-source training platform called moodle. Upon completion of the seven-module program, the Ser Bhum Brewery participants will be awarded a statement of participation from NC, and by the end of the training, they will be able to apply a variety of new skills to the beverage sector, including formulating and developing a beer recipe for the marketplace.
Brewmaster support liaison, Victor North, taught the first two modules and expressed that although pivoting the program delivery to an online format was challenging, feedback has been very positive and encouraging.
“I have found it very rewarding to teach this group, as they have taught me in turn,” shared North. “The students have told me about the local Bhutanese brewing scene, and I was rather eager to learn of Ara, a fascinating Bhutanese beverage somewhat similar to the traditional corn beers of South America, or reminiscent of Korean Makgeolli, which was the featured style at the prior Niagara College Brewing Competition.”
North noted that Niagara College was well-positioned to deliver this project as much of the content is familiar territory for NC, having delivered it as part of NC’s two- year Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program.
“I hope that, in addition to the technical knowledge that they learn, they take with them a sense of having a place in the international community of brewers, as well as a sense of being a part of the long world history of brewing,” said North. “I also hope that they carry the lessons on safety with them throughout their careers as brewers, and have long, safe, and happy careers in the industry.”
If health and government authorities advise that it is safe to travel when module seven of the project begins, Ser Bhum employees will travel to Canada for an in-person component. While in Canada, Ser Bhum employees will receive training at NC’s Teaching Brewery and as well as participate in local industry site visits to experience Canadian brewing operations firsthand, while learning about current industry trends and best practices in Canada.
NC continues to offer global collaboration in support of economic development, quality education and gender equality in other parts of the world and has been involved in global development projects for over 25 years – most recently, in the Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Malawi, Mexico, Jamaica, and Vietnam.
For more information on Global Education and Partnerships and how to get involved, please visit ncglobal.ca.
