A FORMER banana firm worker is hoping his new career will prove even more fruitful than his last.

In his role as operations manager for Fyffes, in Scotland, Matthew Dobson, 33, helped set up a gas ripening centre enabling bananas to reach the shelves in peak condition.

After enrolling on Sunderland University's MSc enterprise in biosciences course, he is learning the skills to start up a new business venture or become a senior biosciences manager.

The masters course, which is the first of its kind in the region, aims to boost the economy by producing a new generation of business-savvy scientists.

Mr Dobson, a microbiology graduate from Thornaby, Teesside, said: "I had reached a hiatus in my career and I wanted to acquire the necessary business acumen to progress from middle management into senior management.

"I decided to enrol for the new MSc so that I can gain all the necessary business skills to develop my career within the science sector in the North-East."

Course leader Dr Keith Thomas said: "The North-East needs more home-grown, knowledge-based businesses and is also short of skilled workers for the biosciences sector.

"Our new masters programme aims to remedy this by encouraging young graduates to develop bright ideas into businesses and by nurturing a new generation of senior staff for the biosciences sector."

Participants of the full time course will develop a business plan supported by academic and industrial supervisors. For details, call 0191-515 3000.