Skills training for food industry workers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) has undertaken the development of training modules in ten key areas covering fundamental food science and food engineering principles. Each subject-matter module is being prepared by a recognized expert in that particular field at three distinct levels for training purposes (i.e., introductory, intermediate, and advanced). These modules are focussed on providing competency-based training for food industry workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. During the summer 2009, an introductory module on fooddehydration was presented as a pilot offering to eight participants from five countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Mauritius) utilizing seven volunteer mentors from local universities. The test was conducted to determine if the IUFoST plan for e-assisted educational opportunities could be utilized to improve the technical knowledge of persons working in the value-added food processing industry. Based on evaluations of the presentation from mentors and participants, the method worked exactly as projected. Enthusiasm among the participants was very high and feedback from the mentors was equally favourable. One issue which was identified was the ability of theIUFoST website to meet the demands imposed through e-learning activities. Future activities call for completing all remaining modules and redesigning the IUFoST website for easier dissemination of the modules to mentors and participants. An initial offering of the intermediate module on food dehydration and a second offering of the introductory module are planned as a follow-up test for the re-designed website.