Food and Beverage Process Machine Operator

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Food and Beverage Process Machine Operator. A Food and Beverage Process Machine Operator operates equipment and performs task to process Food and Beverage products for consumption while ensuring that quality standards and specifications are met. A qualified learner will be able to: • Receive food and beverage input materials according to specifications. • Prepare food and beverage related products for processing. • Process food and beverage related products to specification. • Control the operation of Food and Beverage processing to specification.

The need for this qualification stems from the necessity to align ten existing historical unit standard-based qualifications as listed above. Other than the qualifications listed above that this qualification replaces, there are no similar qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework. There is a significant need for this qualification based on the sector skills plans for the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector because it covers a wide sphere of grocery products such including but not limited to fruit and vegetable processing, cereal, savoury snacks, pasta-making, beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, starch and edible oils, sauces, condiments, dressings, chocolate and sugar confectioneries and spices. This qualification will benefit society and the economy by enhancing citizenship, increasing social and economic productivity, providing specifically skilled and/or professional people, and transforming and redressing past inequities. Long term benefits include lateral and vertical growth opportunities for employees in food and beverage manufacturing plants and access to previously inaccessible employment opportunities at higher levels as process controllers, supervisors, and production managers. While the industry is constantly evolving there are numerous process contexts that are vitally important and are experiencing significant growth, these contexts will all benefit from a qualification that reflects the latest technologies a process required for the 21st-century operator. Examples of these contexts are the beverage industry that manufactures sparkling soft drinks, water, fruit juice and energy drinks. There is a similar context for alcoholic drinks such are cider, clear beer, and blended alcoholic drinks. Another large context is the further processing of grain to produce products such as pasta, cereals, and the further production of starches, fruits and vegetables to produce jams, sauces, condiments, soups and dressings. All these products are part of our daily lives. Further context is fruit and vegetable processing to provide frozen and canned fruit and vegetables. Two industry requirements would be the processing of maize, nuts, and vegetables to produce and pack a variety of savoury snacks such as popcorn, maize poppers, chips and similar snacks. The last significant industry need would be the processing of sugar and starch as well as chocolate to produce jellies, candies, and chocolate confectionery products. Developing this qualification enhances the professionalism of an operator in the food and Beverage industry. It demonstrates that operators have undertaken formal training and assessment, and have achieved a level of knowledge, skills and work experience that is recognized by the industry. The Food and Beverage industry is highly regulated, and operators must adhere to strict safety and quality standards to ensure that the products they produce are safe for consumption. This qualification ensures that operators have the required knowledge and skills to maintain these high safety and quality standards. Typical occupations in this area are the following, Processor, Drier, Blender, Blending plant operator, fruit processing operator, extruder, processing operator, vegetable plant operator. This qualification will be aimed at employees who have worked in the Food and Beverage industry where they have accumulated skills and developed experience over a long period of time but have not been able to obtain a qualification. This qualification will also target learners wanting to follow a career in the food and beverage industry who will use this qualification as an entry point into the world of work and can also advance into various other roles in the food and beverage industry. There is no professional body that would require oversight over the content of the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be exempted from modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. Entry Requirements: • An NQF Level 2 qualification with mathematics and communication.

• Apply the fundamental theory and concepts of communication, interpersonal relations, business understanding, manufacturing, quality and food safety in the food and related products manufacturing environment.
• Understand the principles, concepts and theory of food and beverage processing in a fast- moving consumer manufacturing environment.
• Prepare a Food and Beverage Manufacturing Product for further processing.
• Operate a single stage stand-alone Food and Beverage Manufacturing processing equipment.