Pioneering Education and Training in Poultry Welfare: The Accomplishments of the IPWA Education & Training Committee

The International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA) Education and Training Committee is setting new standards in poultry welfare training through innovative initiatives and comprehensive programs. Their efforts have significantly enhanced the quality of training available across the industry, making a lasting impact on the welfare of poultry worldwide.
The IPWA Education and Training Committee has launched four comprehensive broiler welfare modules. These modules have quickly become an essential resource for industry professionals and educational programs, providing in-depth knowledge and practical insights into broiler, layer, and turkey welfare practices. The modules cover various topics that align with the IPWA Key Welfare Indicator Guides, ensuring that participants understand the science behind poultry welfare.
Recently, the committee has held a series of highly successful webinars that provided an overview of KWIs. Three webinars provided an in-depth look at each KWI guide for layers, broilers, and turkey and are available now on the IPWA YouTube channel here.

The committee, in partnership with COOP, will release all the KWI-aligned modules by the year's end and track to Spanish language modules in 2025. In addition, the Education & Training committee is investigating utilizing AR experiences and has developed hands-on training opportunities outside traditional facilities. These sessions will offer practical, real-world experience to complement the theoretical knowledge gained from the modules. The IPWA Education and Training Committee plans to review existing courses to gather feedback and continuously improve their content. The committee is also exploring using augmented reality (AR) to enhance training experiences.

By creating immersive AR environments, participants can experience on-farm conditions and interact with 3D representations of birds, even when on-farm training is not possible. This innovative approach aims to provide realistic and engaging learning experiences. The committee is actively seeking video content to build AR experiences for broiler, turkey, and layer environments. Collaborations with organizations like PAACO and leveraging connections with farms will help gather the necessary materials. These videos will be transformed into AR animations, ensuring they are detailed yet anonymous to protect privacy and maintain focus on educational content.

Efforts are underway to secure grant funding to support students taking these courses. This financial assistance will make the training more accessible to aspiring professionals and contribute to improving poultry welfare standards. The committee is also considering the development of executive-level training programs to educate industry leaders on animal welfare. These courses will cover essential topics such as the five freedoms vs. five domains of animal welfare and how these principles relate to business practices.

IPWA's Education & Training Committee also plans in-person training events to complement its online offerings at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) and ViVAsia 2025 Training. Register your interest in both events here. The IPWA Education and Training Committee's achievements in poultry welfare training are commendable. Their dedication to developing comprehensive, accessible, and innovative training programs is transforming the industry. By continuously expanding their offerings, seeking feedback, and exploring new technologies, the committee ensures that poultry welfare training remains at the forefront of industry standards.