Training opportunity
Vivid Learning Systems, a provider of web and intranet-based
compliance and regulatory training programmes, has just announced
its purchase of the website Foodsafety.com and key course content
and intellectual properties from Food Safety, a provider of on-line
food safety programmes.
"The acquisition of Foodsafety.com is the first step in the development of a comprehensive training program designed to address the safety and regulatory needs of the foodservice industry," said Kevin Smith, president of Vivid Learning Systems.
Vivid sees the acquisition as a unique opportunity. The food service industry, a major component of the food safety industry, is the nation's largest employer. The foodservice industry has an employee / student population of 14 million per year, more than 100 per cent turnover, and mandated learning requirements.
"This acquisition will help Vivid provide an important service in helping food service companies, managers and employees employ best practices and meet market-specific requirements and regulations," said Smith. "The combination of Vivid's leading workforce training experience and market networks, coupled with Foodsafety's know-how in food safety education, makes for a powerful partnership."
Vivid claims that its training programmes have been proven to dramatically reduce training costs. Independent pilot programmes have verified a reduction in time spent in training by up to 75 per cent. Vivid's Learning Management System, e-Clarus, completely automates the administration, training and recording of student information and records.
Foodsafety chief executive Martin Mick and Roy Costa of Environ Health Associates have been hired by Vivid as consultants to help in lesson creation and content development as well as business development activities. Both Mick and Costa have more than 50 years of combined experience in the foodservice and food safety industries.
"The well-established and successful production capabilities and marketing network infrastructure at Vivid are just the catalysts we need to successfully launch online training products for the foodservice industry," said Mick. Costa said: "Our web-based courses will be able to supply customised, rapid and cost-effective food safety training and education to restaurant workers and managers that is so critical to the foodservice industry."
Vivid Learning Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuvotec is a major provider of web-based compliance training programmes and content management software in the corporate training market. Since 1995, Vivid has delivered more than six million training lessons to more than 700 commercial and government clients nationwide.
