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Education

Leftover bread crusts can be turned into new food says Aberystwyth University

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IF you are concerned about the crusts of your bread going to waste, then new research that promises to turn it into new kinds of food could be the answer.

In a paper published in the journal ‘NPJ Science of Food’, academics at Aberystwyth University have shown that waste bread can be fermented into highly nutritious foods.

Wheat is one of the most consumed crops worldwide, contributing to 20% of the calories and proteins in human diets.

It is a key ingredient for many staple foods, such as breads, cakes, biscuits, cookies and crackers.

Bakery waste, particularly from bread, is a major global concern. Currently around 10% of the 185 million tons of bread baked each year is wasted, mostly at supermarkets and commercial bakers.

While most of this surplus is safe to eat, with some of it distributed by charities, it cannot be sold more generally.

The new study is the first time academics have shown grass traditionally used for livestock production can be successfully fermented along with bread by fungi to make alternative proteins.

The new process combines surplus bread with juice from pressed grass which is full of nutrients and protein for fungal growth.

The alternative protein that can be produced from it could end up on the plates of millions, including in fortified bread, pork pies or sausages.

Dr David Bryant from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University said:

“This is a real breakthrough that will hopefully tackle the growing global problem of wasted food. Most of us know only too well how much of a problem bread waste is – from the toast thrown away at breakfast or our uneaten sandwiches. But that is not the whole issue – much is wasted commercially in manufacture and retail as well.

“This research gives us a way of tackling that problem through fermentation.  It is the use of grass that makes these findings a genuine first. The beauty of this method is that it can use that everyday plant to turn waste into new types of food for the growing world population.”

The type of fungi used in the scientists’ new fermentation is already widely used to produce tempeh, a vegetarian alternative to meat made from fermented cooked soya beans and which is widely eaten in parts of Asia.

Using the pilot-scale biorefining facility at AberInnovation, which is based on Aberystwyth University’s Gogerddan Campus, the scientific breakthrough takes advantage of solid-state fermentation, which is more environmentally friendly and produces less wastewater than other methods.

A spokesperson for Samworth Brothers added:

“Samworth Brothers is a food business with significant influence – our activities impact the environment and climate change, nutrition, employment, supply chains and the communities in which we operate. We’re determined that our influence is for the good.

Supporting this project is a great example of what we can do in addition to our food redistribution activities to find alternative uses for bread crusts.”

The four-year research project is funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said:

“Embracing innovative approaches like this not only helps to combat food waste but also pioneers new ways to sustain our growing population with nutritious alternatives. This latest research from IBERS, one of BBSRC’s strategically supported research institutes, epitomises the type of transformative science BBSRC invests in to foster sustainable and resilient food systems across the UK and around the world. The potential of turning everyday waste into valuable food resources is an opportunity we must capitalise on if we are to successfully secure our global food supply both now and in the future.”

As the study continues, researchers will consider how they can change the flavours and improve the taste of the alternative proteins produced by the fermentation.

Education

Haverfordwest pupils learn lifesaving skills with St John Ambulance Cymru

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MORE than 1,300 school pupils recently received defibrillator and CPR demonstrations with St John Ambulance Cymru trainers as part of the charity’s Defibruary campaign launch.

Pupils in years 7-11 at Haverfordwest High VC School in Pembrokeshire received key information about the annual campaign, which aims to raise awareness of these vital lifesaving skills and the importance of early intervention when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest.

The first aid charity for Wales is organising a range of events during February to help raise awareness of the importance of defibrillator and CPR skills, as a person’s chances of survival are reduced by 10% for every passing minute without action following a cardiac arrest.

The campaign will also be urging people to learn where the nearest defibrillator to them is located via The Circuit and ensure any they are responsible for are registered, so that emergency services can direct people to the nearest one in an emergency.

St John Ambulance Head of Response Operations, Darren Murray said: “It was a fantastic way to launch our annual Defibruary campaign and the pupils were keen to get hands-on and have a go at putting these skills to work in our demonstration sessions.

“As your chances of surviving an out of hospital cardiac arrest are just 5% in Wales, we are determined to help improve that by sharing these lifesaving skills and helping people be more prepared to act quickly in an emergency.

“We would like to thank the school for welcoming our team and helping us to share these important messages with the students, who will hopefully be more comfortable to act if they find themselves in an emergency situation in future.”

The Defibruary campaign is run because of people like Janice. A decade ago, Janice John suffered a cardiac arrest at home. Fortunately, her husband Keith knew how to administer CPR and put these skills to work until an ambulance crew arrived with a defibrillator.

Janice and Keith had both completed first aid training as they were St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers and volunteer first responders, but they never expected these skills would be needed so close to home.

Fast forward ten years and Janice is still an active St John Ambulance Cymru volunteer and also works to help others with the charity’s Welfare and Falls Rapid Response Service in the Pembrokeshire area, run in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Janice, who has since purchased a defibrillator just in case something like this should happen at home again, said: “It’s so important to learn these basic first aid skills and it’s vital to administer first aid as soon as possible to give people a better chance of survival.”

The event at Haverfordwest High is just one of the free first aid demonstrations in schools and community groups delivered as part of St John Ambulance Cymru’s partnership with EcoFlow, a global company, specialising in portable power products, solar technology and smart home energy solutions.

To find out more about St John Ambulance’s Defibruary campaign and learn how you can get involved, visit www.sjacymru.org.uk/defibruary.

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Education

Apprenticeship Week Wales: Free advice for people in Pembrokeshire

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AS APPRENTICESHIP WEEK WALES unfolds, Careers Wales is highlighting the support available to help people explore the different opportunities available to them. 

Apprenticeships are one of many routes individuals can take to develop skills, gain qualifications, and build experience in the workplace.

They offer people of all ages the chance to earn while they learn, gaining recognised qualifications and valuable hands-on experience.

Mature adult and young adult recycling coworkers wearing orange reflective vests standing in warehouse and discussing over clipboard.

In 2022-23, Wales saw significant engagement in apprenticeship programmes. Data gathered from the Medr Apprenticeship Learning Dashboard

shows that during that year, 22,880 apprenticeship learning programmes were started in Wales.  This was an increase of 14% from the previous year (202122).*

25% of these were in South West Wales, with 5,650  apprenticeships started. 1,045 people took up apprenticeships during the year in Pembrokeshire alone.

With opportunities in 23 diverse sectors, from creative industries to green skills, there’s something for everyone. The top 5 apprenticeship learning programmes in 2022/23 in Wales were:

  1. Healthcare and Public Services
  2. Management and Professional
  3. Construction
  4. Business Administration
  5. Engineering*

Apprenticeships are not only suitable for young people. Over 70% of apprenticeships taken up in Wales in 2022-23 were by people over 19 years old. Over 4,500 (or 20%) of apprenticeships that started in 2022-23 were taken up by people aged 40 and over.*

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of Careers Wales said: “Apprenticeship Week Wales is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate apprenticeships, and the value they bring to learners, employers, and the wider Welsh economy.

“Apprenticeships provide a pathway for people to gain qualifications while working and earning a wage, and can be a valuable route for those looking to develop their skills.

“Our careers advisers can provide tailored support for people of all ages with exploring apprenticeships, as well as the full range of alternative options available to them.”

For those interested in exploring apprenticeship opportunities in Wales, resources are available, including the apprenticeship finder on the Careers Wales website, to assist in finding and applying for positions.

You can read more about the free services provided by Careers Wales and Working Wales, call 0800 028 4844 or email [email protected].

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Education

Alarming new Estyn report reveals Welsh education in crisis

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WALES’ education system is in turmoil, with an alarming new report from Estyn exposing deep-rooted issues plaguing schools across the country. The watchdog’s findings highlight “stubbornly low” attendance rates, a critical shortage of teachers, and a growing crisis in pupil behaviour, all of which have worsened under Labour’s leadership of the Welsh Government.

The report warns that the continued failure to address these systemic problems is leading to declining educational standards and increasing pressures on teachers, many of whom are leaving the profession due to stress and inadequate support. With concerns mounting, opposition parties have called for urgent action to reverse the decline and restore confidence in Welsh education.

Schools under pressure

Estyn’s findings reveal a bleak picture of the current state of schools in Wales. Pupil absenteeism remains persistently high, with attendance figures showing no significant improvement since the COVID-19 pandemic. This, coupled with recruitment difficulties, has left many schools struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels, further exacerbating the challenges facing educators.

Adding to the crisis, Estyn highlights deteriorating pupil behaviour, with reports of increased disruption in classrooms leading to talented teachers leaving the profession. The watchdog criticises the Welsh Government for failing to provide clear guidance and sufficient resources to tackle these pressing issues.

Political fallout

Reacting to the report, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, condemned Labour’s handling of the education system, stating: “The Welsh Conservatives have long warned about the crises facing our schools—soaring absenteeism, teacher recruitment struggles, and rising school violence.

“Estyn’s report makes it clear that pupil attendance is ‘stubbornly low,’ recruitment issues are undermining educational standards, and pupil behaviour is driving talented professionals out of teaching.

“Labour’s failure to address these challenges has left Welsh education in crisis. Weak guidance, underfunding, and a lack of support for teachers are failing our children. Welsh education is broken under Labour—only the Welsh Conservatives can fix it.”

The Welsh Government has yet to formally respond to the criticisms, but Labour ministers have previously defended their education policies, pointing to ongoing investments in school infrastructure and teacher training programmes. However, critics argue that these efforts have fallen short, leaving schools ill-equipped to tackle the fundamental issues identified in Estyn’s report.

Calls for urgent reform

Education unions and opposition parties are now demanding immediate intervention to prevent further decline. Among the key recommendations are increased funding for schools, stronger behavioural policies, and targeted support for struggling pupils. There are also calls for a review of teacher recruitment strategies to attract and retain high-quality educators.

With Welsh education at a crossroads, the pressure is mounting on the Labour-led government to take decisive action. As schools continue to grapple with these mounting challenges, the future of education in Wales remains uncertain, with many questioning whether real change will be delivered before it is too late.

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