Food processing course

Diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology course

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A diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology is a course that will equip the trainee with knowledge, skills, and attitude that will enable him/her to perform managerial duties in the Food Science and Processing Technology industry.

In Kenya, Food Science and Processing Technology course is offered at both universities and TVET institutions. Some universities that offer Bachelor in food science and technology are the University of Nairobi, MKU, JKUAT, Meru University, and Karatina among others. However, TVET uses a common syllabus developed by KICD and examined by KNEC. In this article, we concentrate on Diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology for the KNEC syllabus.

The objective of the Food Science and Processing Technology course

By the end of this Diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology, the trainee is expected to be able to do the following.

  1. Address the causes of food spoilage and wastage
  2. Understand the principles of food processing
  3. Apply the knowledge and skills to process specific foods.
  4. Appreciate the role of the food industry in national economic growth.
  5. Appreciate the impact of Information Communication Technology in the Food Science and Processing Technology industry.
  6. Apply entrepreneurship skills to run a Food Science and Processing enterprise.

The entry requirement for Diploma in Catering and Accommodation course

Being a Diploma course those who wish to join the course in any TVET institution will require a minimum KCSE grade of C- and above.

Those who have done a Craft Certificate in Food Science and Processing Technology and passed can proceed to a diploma level. Depending on your performance at the craft level you can be exempted from some units. When exempted, you will be admitted to module 2 of the diploma instead of module 1.

Units in Diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology 

For the diploma KNEC program, the course is divided into 3 modules/levels, which should take 3 years. The student does the unit in each module and sits for the KNEC exam for those specific units before proceeding to the next level.

If you fail 3 units among all your units per module, KNEC considers it as FAIL and you have to repeat all the units in that module. When you fail 1 or 2 units you are allowed to proceed to the next level but you must repeat the failed unit and pass before you are certified by KNEC.

For the Diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology course, the following are the units that you are required to cover to be certified as a food technologist.

Module 1 units in Food Science and Processing Technology

Units offered in module 1 are:

  1. Mathematics
  2. Information communication technology
  3. Communication skills
  4. Entrepreneurship
  5. Life Skills
  6. Physics
  7. Chemistry
  8. Biology
  9. Laboratory and Workshop Practice
  10. General Microbiology
  11. Agricultural Production
  12. Food Engineering I
  13. Industrial Attachment I

After modules 1 and 2 students are expected to go for an industrial attachment which is a requirement of the course. Students can be attached to any industry or area that deals with food processing and packaging. This includes but is not limited to dairy processing firms, beer production, bakery, meat processing industry, and food value addition among other related areas. 

Food Science and Processing Technology Module 2 units

This module equips the student with the knowledge, skills, and attitude required to perform supervisory duties in the food processing industry.

  1. Food Microbiology I
  2. Food Chemistry I
  3. Food Engineering II
  4. Food Processing and Preservation I
  5. The Technology of Specific Products I
  6. General Food Analysis
  7. Food Quality Assurance
  8. Business plan
  9. Research Methods
  10.  Industrial attachment II

Module 3 units in Food Science and Processing Technology

  1. Food Microbiology II
  2. Food Chemistry II
  3. Food Engineering III
  4. Food Processing and Preservation II
  5. The technology of Specific Food Products II
  6. Food Analysis and Instrumentation
  7. Industrial Organization and Management
  8. Product Development, Marketing, and Sales
  9. Trade Project

Career Progression in Food Science and Processing Technology

After you have done the food science course you will have enough knowledge to process different kinds of food.

With a Diploma in food science and processing technology, you can progress to a Bachelor’s degree in the same and other related courses. You can later progress to do a Master’s and Doctorate in the same area. You can specialize in areas such as

  1. Food Biotechnology
  2. Dairy Science and Technology
  3. Food Processing and Engineering
  4. Food and Nutrition

Prospect employment areas/opportunities in the Food Science and Processing Technology field

With a Diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology, you can be employed by any food processing firm or industry. Some of the roles that you can take in the industry can include.

  1. Food design and development
  2. Food and product analysis
  3. Production manager
  4. Health and safety inspector
  5. Food product sales representative

For self-employment, you can start a small standard butchery where you can add value to meat and meat products. You can also start a milk-selling parlor where you can add value to the milk by producing yogurt, ghee, and other milk-related products.

For employment opportunities, you can approach any company that deals with food processing such as dairy firms, meat value-addition industries, fish processing, and breweries, among other areas.