Qualifications: Elintarvikeala

Holders of a vocational qualification in food production have the vocational skills required for working in the food production sector. They know how to conduct self-monitoring, observe good food hygiene, and ensure product safety and the good quality of the product. Qualification holders know how to control the production process and keep it running. They know how to make foods, bakery products, meat products and dairy products in accordance with the competence area they have chosen. Qualification holders have the abilities required in the industrial food production process or in small-scale production. In addition, depending on the optional units they have chosen, they are able to package foods, carry out warehouse activities or dispatching in companies in the food production sector, carry out food-related tasks in stores or make foods in an international environment.

Holders of a Further Vocational Qualification in the Food Industry are able to work in compliance with food legislation and the company's and the work site's self-monitoring plan. They know how to observe the guidelines of good hygiene in their work and take care of the tidiness of their working environment. In addition, qualification holders are able to work in compliance with the company's quality system and assess the quality of the finished product. Additionally, they are able to work in the food industry production process and observe the instructions related to occupational health and safety and ergonomics. They know how to work in an environmentally friendly manner and in accordance with sustainable practices. Based on the competence area they have chosen, qualification holders are able to make one or two food products from a total of sixteen product categories in the manufacturing process of the food industry. They master the manufacturing process from receiving the ingredients to making the product, cleaning the machines and equipment, and assessing the quality of the finished product. Qualification holders, who have completed the competence area in meat processing, master the activities referred to in the regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing, and master slaughtering, meat cutting, or meat inspection for the animal species they have chosen. Qualification holders know how to work in tasks that support production in the manufacturing process of the competence area in dairy production. Depending on the optional units they have chosen, qualification holders know how to package, store, or dispatch food industry products.

Holders of the Further Vocational Qualification in the Bakery Sector work in small bakeries (Baker) and confectioneries (Confectioner) and in the baking industry (Industrial Baker) making different bakery products from dough into finished products. In industrial bakeries, qualification holders require help also from other people with various competencies. Qualification holders master the ingredients of a bakery and their use. They know how to weigh the ingredients and make doughs and batters for bread, buns and pastries. They form doughs into products, take the products to rise and bake them at correct temperatures for the required time. Confectioners make various confectionary products from making doughs and batters to baking, decoration, finishing and packaging. Depending on the chosen optional units, industrial bakers master two or three phases of the manufacturing process in the baking industry. Confectioners and bakers also make special dietary products.

Qualification holders master food safety and the use of machines and equipment. They also keep their work environment tidy and clean, complying with food legislation and the company's self-monitoring programme. Qualification holders are familiar with instructions related to occupational health and safety and ergonomics. They wrap the products in appropriate packaging, make product labels, package products, and send them to customers. They work economically, productively, and flexibly and master the working methods of the bakery sector. Qualification holders know how to ensure product quality and use information technology in their work.

The specialist vocational qualification in the bakery sector includes three qualification titles, which are Confectioner (SQ), Industrial Baker (SQ), and Baker (SQ). Confectioners are able to generate ideas for, plan, and make a set of confectionary products, a masterpiece, and specialist confectionary products. Industrial bakers are able to generate ideas for, plan, and make a set of products in the baking industry. Bakers are able to generate ideas for, plan and make a set of bakery products, a masterpiece, and specialist bakery products. Holders of a specialist vocational qualification in the bakery sector know how to work hygienically, safely, and ergonomically and comply with the company's self-monitoring programme.

Depending on the optional units they have chosen, qualification holders are able to manage the business operation of a company in the bakery sector, take charge of the personnel, the company's procurement process, and the familiarisation of the personnel. In addition, qualification holders are able to plan and lead a development project in production or plan and implement a product development process as a whole in the bakery sector. Depending on the units they have chosen, qualification holders master the international competition activities in the bakery sector and are able to generate ideas for, plan, and make a range of desserts.