7 replies to this topic

[Clare18]

Hi all,

Well, I'm a student. I have completed my graduation Bsc in Food nutrition and Dietetics, and currently I'm pursuing post graduation Msc in Food science and technology. Currently I'm in final semester and will complete Msc by the end of May 2017. Few months to go and already I'm a bit worried about getting placed. I'm willing to get a job in Qatar, since few of my relatives work there, but in a completely different field of expertise. Few of my seniors asked me to get haccp and food safety certification. They say it will help me in my professional carrier. Well I'm not sure what I need to do next. What shall my next steps be? I'll be glad if someone could guide me. Could you please??

[Charles.C]

Hi all,

Well, I'm a student. I have completed my graduation Bsc in Food nutrition and Dietetics, and currently I'm pursuing post graduation Msc in Food science and technology. Currently I'm in final semester and will complete Msc by the end of May 2017. Few months to go and already I'm a bit worried about getting placed. I'm willing to get a job in Qatar, since few of my relatives work there, but in a completely different field of expertise. Few of my seniors asked me to get haccp and food safety certification. They say it will help me in my professional carrier. Well I'm not sure what I need to do next. What shall my next steps be? I'll be glad if someone could guide me. Could you please??

 

Hi Clare,

 

Welcome to the Forum !

 

It sounds like you need a Career Guidance Specialist. Does your Institute of Learning  have such a Section / Personnel ?  IMEX most do, with free advice.

 

A HACCP qualification will undoubtedly be an assistance (more like a necessity) if you foresee a career involving Food Safety but it sounds like you have not yet reached such a decision ?

[Clare18]

Hi Charles,

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it.

Well, my institution here in India does not have one. That's why I'm here to seek guidance.

Could you let me know where I could do haccp. And which is the certifying body which is recognized world wide in Haccp.

I even would like to acquire food safety certification. Could you help me with some information please?

[Clare18]

Hi Charles,

As far as I have searched from web, I have found URS United Registrar of System and BSI British Standards Institution which provide Haccp and Food Safety certification and claim to be accredited to UKAS United Kingdom accreditation Service. Will these certification be valid worldwide? Is it the certified body for haccp

[Charles.C]

Hi Clare,

 

The certification you refer may be for a manufacturer's process rather than an individual. Depends on the details.

 

I anticipate that what you would be looking for are Training courses in haccp resulting in a "recognised" certificate. Many Private Companies offer such courses, eg the well-known audit firms (see post8 in thread below). Some organisations "representing" official bodies/industries also offer, eg the HACCP Alliance in USA offers Haccp training Courses/Certificates oriented to seafood, IIRC their Certificate is recognized for competency by USFDA.

 

Maybe have a look at the current post/thread below. (This thread maybe partially parallels yr present interest) -

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...al/#entry108298

[Clare18]

Hi Charles,

Thank you once again.

I will check which agencies or private bodies offer these course for individuals. Preferably as mentioned in the thread you sent me, TUV. SGS, etc

I would like to know if get these course completed in Qatar will have more value than if I did it in India?

[Charles.C]

Hi Charles,

Thank you once again.

I will check which agencies or private bodies offer these course for individuals. Preferably as mentioned in the thread you sent me, TUV. SGS, etc

I would like to know if get these course completed in Qatar will have more value than if I did it in India?

 

Hi Clare,

 

Unfortunately I have no direct experience regarding  haccp courses in the locations you mention so difficult to comment.

 

The well-known Providers presumably endeavour to maintain  a uniform "standard" across their global network. Some training courses are accredited (see Google).

[RBWHQA]

Hi Clare,

 

 As someone who has been in the industry for more than 15 years now , I may be able to give you some guidance. Your choice of career aspirations will tell you what course of studies you pursue further if any is required. Your inital course of study is in Food Nutrition and Dietetics while your post grad is in Food Science and Technology. While both has some relevance with each other they are both different career streams, while still complementary. The same can be said of your options to do further study in HACCP and Food Safety. These have more relevance with your post grad study and are essential if you wish to work in the Food manufacturing industry which is also larger for the most part and in general has more roles and potential for diversity.

 

 As the Quality Assurance and Safety Coordinator for one of the largest hospitals in Australia, I work closely with dieticians and that direction is where your original career path would have taken you. HACCP and Food Safety while good to know is not a pre-requisite when applying for roles in that field. Dieteticians and Nutritionists however are largely hospital based and except for large hospitals does not require many of them. For the most part, food manufactuers don't employ many of them if any in my experience and are mainly only an advisory role.

 

 In regards to your post graduate studies, that would be more towards the Food Manufacturing Industry and there are more employers in this field as you are not necessarily restricted to hospitals or similar requiring nutritionists or dieteticans. Any food manufactuerer hire Food Technologists in either combination roles or Quality Assurance or Research & Development roles. HACCP and Food Safety are definite requirements in these roles.

 

In Australia anyway which is my specialty though I've experience working in the UK and the Middle East, JAS-ANZ certified accrediation bodies are internationally recognised.

 

http://www.jas-anz.o...d-bodies/search

 

These includes global organisations like SGS, SAI Global. I have done certifications including HACCP, Internal Auditing and Quality & Food Safety Management with SAI Global so I know they do them.

 

I am also unexperienced with Qatar.

 

Hope this helps, and good luck in your future career endeavours.