For those candidates working in a food environment, the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene has now been replaced by the CIEH Level 2 Awards in Food Safety. These new qualifications have been developed to address the new national occupational standards in food safety and the recent changes in food safety legislation.
National occupational what?
National occupational standards are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding expected from employees. They are developed by Sector Skills Councils which represent almost every employment sector in the UK.
Is that the only reason?
Not quite. As you may be aware, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health prides itself on being at the forefront of accredited qualifications in food safety and health and safety qualifications for the workplace. Based on the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene, these qualifications have been completely revised with new and updated content and is complemented by the second edition of the Food Safety: First principles course book and brand new Trainers' Notes.
How do they differ from the old qualification?
There is more emphasis on the 4 Cs. Monitoring controls, corrective actions and methods of reporting are examined as part of a food safety management system. The qualification has also been divided into specific catering, manufacturing and retail syllabuses, that have also been updated to reflect the latest changes to legislation and include the problems that arise from allergen contamination. There is now less on the science of bacteriology and more on what controls it; and less on pest control, due to the increased use of commercial pest control contractors.
Can the new qualifications be tailored for my customers?
The qualifications, as with all CIEH qualifications, can be customised to meet both business and individual needs in order to make the learning experience relevant and fit for purpose. This is also emphasized by the separate qualifications for the catering, retail and manufacturing sectors.
Will I be registered to deliver these new qualifications automatically?
No, but all you need to do to register as a centre and/or trainer for these new qualifications is to complete the appropriate forms in the Registration Pack sent out to centres in February. Copies of this pack are also available from customer services.
Upon successful registration, all centres will receive a FREE copy of the new training pack.
What is ‘Level 2’?
As an awarding body, the CIEH develops a wide range of vocationally related qualifications that are accredited within the QCA National Qualifications Framework at various skills levels. Learning at Level 2 involves building knowledge and skills in relation to an area of work.
Level 2 qualifications are appropriate for many job roles and suitable for individuals who perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision.
Is the old Foundation Certificate still valid?
The Level 2 Awards in Food Safety superseded the Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene on 31 of March 2007 and are now the recommended qualifications for all food handlers. Candidates who hold a Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene taken in the last three years do not need to retake the examination (providing they demonstrate good food handling knowledge).
What next?
Complete and return the appropriate application forms. As soon as these have been processed, you are free to start delivering the new qualification. Download the forms or contact Customer Services on 020 7827 5800 (option 1) for further advice and assistance.