A food handling certificate shows that an employee has completed a nationally recognised course training for safe food handling procedures.  They have learned the appropriate methods for handling and storing foods, the dangers of cross contamination of bacteria and safe sanitisation practices.  This valuable certificate shows employers that they have taken that extra measure to acquire the education they need for the position they are applying for.

Approximately 15% of Australia’s employment is in the food industry.  From production to manufacturing, in 2011, 1.68 million people helped to keep this industry strong.  Farm and fisheries alone, increased by 17% last year even though many regions suffered from severe climate conditions.  This growing industry relies heavily on correct government procedures and regulations. Both imports and exports need to adhere to strict guidelines to avoid heavy fines or product recalls.  The safe handling of food is imperative to keep production at its peak. Employers are constantly looking for valuable employees that possess a food handling certificate to prove that they possess the skills and knowledge required to work in these desired fields.

In such a competitive and high demand field of employment, employers will be looking for an employee that possesses both experience and certification.  A food handling certificate shows that a potential employee has learned the material needed and has also been physically assessed in a work environment.  When several employee resumes are stacked on an employer’s desk, without question, they are going to take a much closer look at the potential employee that can show a certificate to back up their training and experience.

In 2011, Australian food exports rose by $2.6 billion dollars, an 11 per cent increase from 2010 to a $27.1 billion dollar market. The largest export on the Australian market is meat, second largest being minimally processed grains and the third being dairy.  Cross contamination of foods, especially meats or dairy products, can produce harmful bacteria.  This bacterium can cause illness and even death in humans.  If this bacterium was distributed in mass amounts due to poor food handling, the results can be catastrophic.  Aside from the mass amounts of illness, weighing on the health care system, the media from other exporting countries will use any amounts of fear and publicity to show the negative side of purchasing from a competitive nation.  It is imperative that proper food handling procedures are used at all times in the food and beverage industry. This is even more so on the front lines of food production.  As these foods are shipped to other establishments for further use, they will need to be assured that they are only receiving top quality produce that have followed all guidelines.  A food handling certificate is one of the sure ways to assure a potential employer that you are aware of the policies and guidelines and can produce the quality of work they will need in their establishment.

A food handling certificate is worth the time and the effort. It gives you a hiring edge in a very competitive market.  It also shows that you are able to work with the government guidelines being enforced by your employer.  Above all, it shows that you are trained with the standards needed to help keep Australia successful in their food and beverage industry.