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Jump Start-- by Arlas Gillies
Here's the monthly look at some training, education, job
hunting and networking opportunities, along with career-related
information from other media:
Have you ever wondered who is responsible for the flavour of your
drink mix, breakfast cereal or even chewing gum? Who comes up with
those wonderful pastries or fabulous cake designs? If you have ever
wondered about the questions above, or if you enjoy seeing raw
materials transformed into high quality products, then perhaps a job
in the food manufacturing industry is for you.
In this diverse industry you can witness and be part of the
amazing alteration process that takes place as basic resources are
changed into good quality, finished manufactured goods. Food
production specialists create and test prototypes, food scientists
develop formulas, food testers examine and test the product,
production managers oversee the entire process of one or several
products being manufactured and production teams are responsible for
manufacturing a product in vast quantities.
Experience is key in this industry. It is not uncommon for
production line personnel to work their way up to production manager.
Many companies in this industry are supportive of continuous training
and education and therefore encourage and provide employees with
different opportunities. If you are an individual who enjoys physical
work, take pride in contributing to a team effort as well as a
quality product, then you may want to consider an occupation in this
industry.
Education/Training:
In this industry there are a wide variety of education and
training options from informal on-the-job training to apprenticeships
and post-secondary degree requirements.
Beverage or Food Processing Production Workers
Most of these occupations require a Grade 12 education. Many
companies offer on-the-job training for their employees. There are
courses a prospective employee may take if more formal training prior
to starting in this occupation is required.
The University of
Lethbridge offers the Alberta food handlers certificate through
the continuing education department.
Fairview
College offers a certificate in food safety and processing.
Baker
The following post-secondary institutions offer related training in this field:
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) offers a one-year baker certificate program.
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) offers a one-year professional baking certificate program and a 26-week pastry chef certificate program.
Meat Cutter
There are no formal educational requirements for meat cutters. Many
individuals learn on the job. However there are some institutions
offering programs in this trade.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton
offers a five-month retail meat cutting certificate program.
Olds
College offers a five-month meat processing certificate
program.
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary
offers a 24-week retail meat cutting certificate program.
Food Product Development Specialists / Technicians
This occupation requires a related degree in biochemistry, food
science, chemical engineering or even agriculture. The following
institutions in Alberta offer such degrees:
The University of
Alberta in Edmonton offers a four-year B.Sc. honours and
specialization degrees in agriculture, food and nutritional science
and engineering.
The University of
Calgary offers a four-year B.Sc. program in biochemistry as well
as chemical engineering.
The University of
Lethbridge offers a four-year B.Sc. program in biochemistry with
a co-operative education option as well as an engineering degree
program.
Many individuals in the food processing industry also possess
diplomas or degrees related to the agriculture sector. The following
institutions in Alberta offer such diplomas and degrees:
Olds
College offers a diploma in agriculture.
The University of
Alberta in Edmonton offers a four-year degree in agriculture and
food management.
For more information about institutions across Canada offering
training or degrees in this industry, check out the Canadian Institute of
Food Science and Technology Web site.
Businesses/Associations
Alberta
Food Processors Association
Association of Canadian Distillers
Baking
Association of Canada
Brewers Association
of Canada
Canadian Bottled Water Association
Canadian Institute of
Food Science and Technology
Confectionery Manufacturers Association of
Canada
Food and Consumer
Products Manufacturers of Canada
Food
Processors of Canada
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Gour-Mart Ltd.
Weston Bakeries
Foothills Creamery
Brulée Patisserie
Job Boards
Alberta Food Processors Association
Baking
Association of Canada
Canadian
Institute of Food Science and Technology
Monster Job Board
Other Media
The Web Site from the Alberta Food Processors Association contains
some great stories about people working in the industry. Twelve job
profiles of people working in careers such as product developer
to production worker to distribution manager are available for
reference. The site also contains much more information about the
Alberta food manufacturing industry.
The U.S.-based Food Engineering Magazine's Web site
is written mainly for executives, however, by flipping through the
back issues you may gain a better understanding of what the industry
includes and some of the issues the industry finds important.
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