SAI Global launches food industry qualification

SAI Global has launched a new qualification for the food industry. The 10140NAT Diploma of Food Safety Quality Assurance Management is a nationally recognised qualification specifically designed for professionals working in the food industry in operations, food safety and quality assurance roles.

Paul Butcher, chief commercial officer, SAI Global, said, “In 2014, it was identified that 36.6% of Australian employers had jobs requiring vocational qualifications. This new diploma will help address this need for training, helping food industry professionals develop a clear career path.

“We’re committed to upskilling the Australian food industry and providing those working within it [with] the unique recognition they deserve for their skills and knowledge.”

Representing almost 30% ($119 billion pa) of total manufacturing in Australia, the agrifood sector (food manufacturing and grocery) provides jobs for over 332,000 people nationally.

Research shows there’s a skill shortage in existing workforces, particularly for roles such as food safety auditors in the food and beverage industries and quality assurance personnel in the meat and seafood industries.

The new diploma was launched in response to a growing gap in the Food Processing Training Package qualifications for food industry quality and compliance professionals, and to help overcome a national skills shortage this is creating.

With the median age of auditors being 55 years, 14 years older than the average age of the workforce in Australia, this qualification will also help to encourage young emerging managers into the industry.

Certified assessor and food safety and quality trainer Cathy Lee said, “Australia has an enviable reputation for producing quality and premium foods that are safe. The introduction of this new qualification ensures a consistent standard is maintained so Australia continues to be a modern, safe, reliable and sustainable producer of food.”

The qualification has been developed in consultation with food industry representatives and is available exclusively through SAI Global.

The flexible qualification can be achieved through a combination of face-to-face or online learning as well as through a recognition of prior learning and credit transfer pathway. It will generally take up to two years to achieve the diploma.