Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

The Work

Food technicians work in food production. They test the safety and quality of food, and may help to research and develop products.  
 
The aim of quality assurance is to avoid poor quality food by carrying chemical analysis at key stages of the production process. Food technicians use a very strict procedure called Hasard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). This means they can identify problems at each stage of production, and take steps to make sure the food is safe. For example, they test food for harmfulF micro-organisms that can cause food poisoning. They also have the responsibility for analysis and collection of results.  
 
Technicians also test the materials used to package food, to make sure they meet national and European standards for safety and quality. They also provide back up and support to the Food Scientist.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
• Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.
• Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.
• Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.
• Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.
• Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.
• Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
• Seek substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.
• Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.

Further Information

• Food Technologist - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

To become a food technician, it is necessary to complete a relevant full-time course, or to find a job with part-time training provided. Various institutions around the country offer relevant courses in Food Science and Food Technology.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Supply Chain Logistics, Management, Engineering Operations, Engineering Precision Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Logistics and Distribution, Manufacturing Technician, CNC (Computer Numeric Control) Operator at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Food Science, Horticulture (Food Production), Culinary Skills, Professional Cookery, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Science - Nutrition and Health, Manufacturing Engineering courses at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Allied Manufacturing Engineering, Chef, Lean Sigma management Apprenticeships at NFQ levels 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

-Higher Education CAO Entry: General Engineering, Food Innovation, Agri-Food Production, Food Management and Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production, Food Science and Management  NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Management, Global Food Security - Food Safety, Sustainable Resource Management - Policy & Practice, Biosystems & Food Engineering - Research, Food Safety Management, Culinary Innovation & Food Product Development, Engineering - Food Engineering NFQ level 9

Professional Development & Associations

With a number of years’ experience you can move into consultancy work as a self-employed consultant for example. Undertaking additional training or postgraduate study, is a good way to increase your chances of progressing in your career.

Teagasc

Manufacturing Skillnet 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €59k

Salaries vary by employer, duties, location, experience, and role

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Morgan McKinley / CPL

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here