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A breakthrough in training  for the cannabis testing industry has been launched thanks to a collaboration between experts in the National Measurement Laboratory (NML), hosted at LGC, and the reference materials division at LGC Standards.

The rapid expansion of the global cannabis industry has led to sharply increased demand for safety and purity testing, but analytical laboratories are reporting a severe shortage of experienced cannabis testing staff.

LGC’s analytical measurement scientists have developed free, easy-to-use app-based microlearning, to provide training in a range of topics, including:

• why testing/ screening of cannabis is required;
• quality assurance, including method validation, measurement uncertainty, traceability and quality control;
• laboratory set-up, including contamination control;
• health & safety.

Dr Kelly Cheshire, Global Product Manager for cannabis, Dr Ehrenstorfer, LGC, said, “We saw this as an opportunity to help,” says.

“After speaking with our customers and a number of experts within the industry, we were aware that one of their ‘pain points’ was around experience in the cannabis field.

“The question was: ‘How can untrained staff continue their learning in an environment that doesn’t always afford the time to pursue this?’”

Partly due to the pandemic, and partly to accommodate the new generation of ‘digital natives’ working in laboratories, the NML was also looking for novel means of delivering training that would minimise the time scientists spend away from day-to-day work. 

“Feedback from customers indicated that recruiting staff with the required cannabis knowledge and skills can be a challenge, and that introductory level training would be welcomed,” adds Vicki Barwick, the NML’s Head of Commercial Training.

CannLearn helps users self-navigate through five structured learning modules at their own pace, and via a range of devices. Feedback from a pilot study last year was positive, with cannabis laboratory managers describing it as “a great tool for people new to the industry.”

Discover CannLearn

About LGC

LGC is a leading, global life science tools company, providing mission-critical components and solutions into high-growth application areas across the human healthcare and applied market segments. Its high quality product portfolio is comprised of mission-critical tools for genomic analysis and for quality assurance applications, which are typically embedded and recurring within our customers' products and workflows and are valued for their performance, quality and range.

LGC's tools play a key role in customer workflows from discovery applications through to commercial manufacture and enable its customers to: bring new diagnostics and therapies to market; progress research and development; optimise food production; and continuously monitor and enhance the quality of food, the environment and consumer products.

LGC's 175+ years of scientific heritage, combined with a track record of innovation and value-enhancing acquisitions, has enabled the company to build its product portfolio and expertise, and develop deep relationships with customers, industry partners and the global scientific community.

LGC's core purpose of Science for a Safer World and its core values of passion, curiosity, integrity, brilliance and respect, drive its culture. As of 30 June 2021, it employs 4,350 employees, of which over 1,175 employees hold PhD and/or master's degrees. Its products and services are delivered by highly qualified and experienced teams, operating from a global network of accredited sites that showcase its scientific and manufacturing capabilities.

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