Introduction

This course provides participants with a user-friendly training tool that will enable them to fill the gap that exists between the work skills and the formal education required to perform as a Quality Assurance Technician in the food processing industry.

“Fundamentals of Quality Assurance in the Food Processing Industry” is targeted at Quality Assurance Technicians who are currently employed with the industry and also to individuals who would like to pursue a career in the food processing industry.

History

The food and seafood processing sector includes a diverse mixture of processing using different technologies, ranging from traditional to food processing units classed in size as small, medium to large. Processors are responsible for the quality and safety of the food they produce. To fulfill this requirement food and seafood processors need to develop quality assurance programs appropriate to their food processing products.

Food and seafood processors need to apply good hygienic practices of which include the design and layout of the premises, provision of adequate facilities and programs for cleaning and sanitation, pest control. Additional quality assurance systems, such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system are also required.

The choice and application of quality assurance systems will vary depending on the type and size of the processing operation.

The position of Q.A. Technician in the industry is most often offered to employees who have demonstrated interest and related skills. However, a gap exists between the skills and the formal education that is required to perform in this occupation, thus leading to a shortage of individuals in the industry with the proper QA skills.

Training on quality assurance currently exists in a degree format at a college and university level. Most of these training programs are more generic in nature and not specific to food and seafood. They are delivered in the form of a six+ weeks program and also on-line based. This project would look at the required occupational skills of a Quality Assurance Technician performing in a food and seafood processing facility and develop curriculum based on these skills. This training will be of interest to individuals who are currently employed with the industry and also to individuals who would like to pursue a career in the food and seafood processing industry. The overall impact will be to provide the employers with more individuals with training in quality assurance.