This programme was designed for persons wanting to pursue careers in the food and beverage industry. Graduates will have the ability to engage in entrepreneurial activities or enter the industry being “work-ready”, highly motivated and have the knowledge base and skills relevant to the industry. New and existing employees of the food and beverage industry can acquire the technical and practical knowledge and skills for food processing, food safety and good manufacturing practices at the entry level. The programme aims to contribute to the achievement of food security and food safety in Trinidad and Tobago by focusing on the use and processing of local produce for value-added products, strengthening food and beverage organizations and their human capacity.

Programme Credits: 33

Full-Time only: One (1) year 

Part-Time only: One and a half (1 ½ ) years (Evening) 

1. UTT ECIAF Campus

• Passes in a minimum of five (5) subjects at CSEC (CXC O’ Level) General Proficiency in Grades I or II and from 1998, Grade III or equivalent GCE O’ Levels including Grades A, B or C inclusive of Mathematics, English Language and/ a Science Subject and/OR; 
• Students who do not meet the university admission requirements above may be admitted through review/special criteria. Requirements for admission under this provision include passes in two (2) to four (4) subjects at CSEC (CXC O’ Level) and/or any other qualifications deemed suitable such as CVQs, NEC and Technical Vocational certification or other evidence of potential for success. Students permitted under this criterion will receive “Provisional Acceptance with Academic Deficiencies”, resulting in a placement into “introductory courses”. After successfully completing the required “introductory courses”, the student can then receive “Full Acceptance” to enrol into the Certificate in Food Technology. 

Mature Student Entry: 

An applicant who does not satisfy all the stipulated minimum academic or technical qualifications for admission to the programme based on years of experience and the ability to handle the level of programme learning may be accepted as a Mature Student. He/she would need to possess the critical elements of the stipulated qualification and would be assessed by the UTT Programme Leader as possessing a combination of qualifications and educational or experiential maturity to enable him/her to successfully participate in the programme. 

Note: 

• Graduates of this revised Certificate in Food Technology programme can matriculate into the Diploma in Food Technology programme 
• Applicants can also apply for special admittance to complete a standalone course/s
• Graduates of the revised Certificate in Food Technology programme (revalidated 2018) with a cGPA of 3.3 can be considered for entry into the B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology programme (revalidated 2018) each semester. 

Positions:

• Food Service Technician,
• Food Safety Inspector/Auditor Assistant,
• Quality Assurance Technician,
• Laboratory Technician,
• Production Attendant,
• Field/Extension Assistant,
• Packinghouse Operator,
• Kitchen Assistant.

Entrepreneurs:

• Agro and Food Processors,
• Distributors,
• Small Manufacturers,
• Packinghouse.