Food Technology Specialist

• 3 years of vocational training
• Dual system = Vocational school instruction combined with on-the-job training

How does the training as a food technology specialist work?
As a food technology specialist, you work in plants that manufacture products. Since you manufacture something for a wide variety of product groups, depending on the company, there is never a dull moment in this profession. An apprenticeship as a food technology specialist is something for all those who want to experience something new every day. You have the opportunity to be creative and turn your idea into a real product. For example, you could design packaging for a product to eat. During your training as a food technology specialist, you will learn how to produce food and ready meals from raw materials.

Of course, you won't start cooking or baking yourself, but everything will be done by machines and equipment. You are responsible for testing, analyzing, and labeling the individual substances. And, of course, producing a proper recipe that can be filled into the machines. Training as a food technology specialist takes three years. During this time, you will learn everything about food and its ingredients. Since you also have to operate machines in this profession, you will of course also be trained in these. You will be involved in all stages of production, from the receipt of raw materials to the finished packaged product.

What do you do during your training as a food technology specialist?
You receive raw materials or semi-finished products and inspect them, after which you must either forward these products to the warehouse or directly to processing. Throughout the process, you are responsible for ensuring that everything is in order with the raw materials, that the necessary ingredients are provided for further processing, and that the machines are set up correctly. During production, you monitor everything and inspect the final products. Of course, you also have to test the quality of the products, so you can taste them from time to time.

During your training as a food technology specialist, you will work either in fish, meat, or fruit and vegetable processing plants, in industrial bakeries, in dairy plants, in the industrial production of sugar confectionery or baby food, for example, or in coffee roasting plants. Depending on your interests, you can choose the area in which you would like to do your training. Of course, you also have the chance to work in other areas after your apprenticeship.

What prerequisite do I need to bring with me?
What do you need to know or be able to do to train as a food technology specialist? In principle, you don't have to be able to do anything at first, because that's why you're doing the training, to learn step by step. However, due to hygiene regulations and food legislation, it is essential that you are always very careful and have a high sense of responsibility.

Knowledge of math and chemistry is also not bad because both subjects will cross your path again and again during your apprenticeship. It is important that you can determine chemical reactions and have an understanding of numbers. A special school leaving certificate is not necessary, even with a secondary school leaving certificate it is possible to get an apprenticeship as a specialist in food technology.

What career and training opportunities are available?
After your training, you will be authorized to work in the food industry and to decide on product processing. The career opportunities in the food industry are very good.

Internal training
In order to stay up to date, increase your qualifications, and improve your chances for promotion, it is a good idea to regularly participate in internal training.

Master craftsman
For even more responsibility and, of course, a higher salary, you should consider further training to become an industrial foreman. As an industrial foreman specializing in food, you will take on technical and managerial tasks in the production of ready-to-sell food and beverages. You are responsible for supervising all stages of production. As a rule, further training takes 18 to 32 months on a part-time basis.

Study
With sufficient work experience or a university entrance qualification, it is worthwhile to add a degree on top. A degree in food technology or business opens up a whole new world of opportunities for you in the food industry.

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