Group Membership

Membership of IFST has always been on an individual basis and this still remains the case. However, we recognise that some organisations already fund the membership fees for a number of their employees on an individual basis. Based on this, IFST now offers a set of incentives to encourage organisations – whether companies or academic institutions – to enrol employees on a group basis. We see this development as an important way of engaging with those in the profession and the wider food sector.

How the scheme works:

We recognise that very many food businesses employ just a few food scientists and technicians but since its launch just over a year ago, our Group Scheme for employers has only been made available for groups of ten or more members... that is, until now. Following feedback from a number of smaller companies, we are pleased to be able to report that we are lowering our threshold for Group Schemes to just three members, therefore opening up the facility for more organisations to sign up their employees directly via a group scheme.

IFST offers a number of incentives including discounted membership to help organisations – whether companies or academic institutions* – to enrol employees on a group basis. The more members within the scheme, the greater the incentives. This is just one way in which IFST can work more closely with organisations in the food sector in order to build stronger links and, most importantly, to help support their technical professionals. For more information on the discounts available please contact Erin Taylor.

Organisational Benefits

In addition to the discounts, we can also offer other flexible benefits, agreed individually, and based on the specific needs of the employer. These could, for example, include organisational benefits such as:

  • A free advertisement per year in one of our online publications (Food Events Online, Foodnet etc)
  • Ten free short event entries in Food Events Online
  • An invitation for key employees to attend the IFST Lecture
  • Fast-tracking the acceptance of Member/Fellow applications and applications for RSciTech, Rsci and CSci
  • The opportunity to hold an event specific to your organisations (and using your premises)
  • A poster-sized certificate for the organisation’s reception

One simple requirement to qualify for a group scheme is that the employer agrees to collect and/or pay for the members' subscriptions as a single annual payment.

In addition to a standard group scheme arrangement, IFST can also help you to set in place effective Continuing Professional Development (CPD) schemes and provide annual accreditation of your scheme. This, combined with a group scheme can prove to be a highly effective way of supporting the ongoing development of your technical employees.

Who are our group members?

LGC
Leatherhead Food Research
Marks & Spencer
NSF-CMi Limited/NSF International - new
Sheffield Hallam University - new

How to join

For more information about our group scheme arrangements or to arrange a meeting to discuss your organisation's development needs, including setting up a CPD system, please email Erin Taylor.

*Discounts do no not apply to student membership.

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