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HOW TO BECOME A FOOD TECHNOLOGIST.

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■ How to become a food technologistFood technologists work on the development, processing and packaging of food and beverage products. They may also work on food marketing, intellectual property management, food safety (microbiology and toxins), consumer issues (flavour, texture, appearance of food), food engineering, and food regulations.

Qualifications needed

Food technologists usually require a bachelor’s degree in food technology, food science, food engineering or a related field. Food technologists may also be required to complete on-the-job training programmes once hired.

For senior positions, a master’s degree is preferred, and a PhD is a requirement for entry into university roles or more research-focused careers.

The New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) has useful information on pathways and qualifications for a career in food science.

→ New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology: www.nzifst.org.nz/careers/default.asp

Cost of study

Bachelor of Science PhD in Science

$18,600 per 3-4 years $24,000 - $32,000 per 3-4 years

Average costs in 2015 for a domestic student. Costs vary between institutions. Further costs include materials, textbooks, and accommodation.

Rents vary from place to place. Estimated market rents by re-gion, city and suburb are available on the MBIE Tenancy Services website.

The StudyLink website provides general budget advice for students, and the Sorted website provides help with detailed budget planning.

→ Tenancy Services: www.tenancy.govt.nz/rent-bond-and-bills

→ StudyLink: www.studylink.govt.nz

→ Sorted: www.sorted.org.nz/calculators/money-planner

Where to study

Most New Zealand universities offer either a degree in food sci-ence, food technology, or food engineering. NZIFST has a list of relevant tertiary courses.

→ New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology: www.nzifst.org.nz/careers/tertiarycourses.asp

Completed qualifications

The number of students completing postgraduate degrees in food science and biotechnology has been variable over the years.

Num

ber

of s

tude

nts

com

plet

ing

qual

ifica

tion

0

50

100

150

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Bachelor's Degree PG Diplomas & Honours Master's Degree

Source: Ministry of Education

■ Income and employment prospectsIncome

In 2014, the median income for food technologists was estimated to be $63,000.

Estimated average income

$63,000

FMCG Industry Remuneration Survey

Employment and skill shortages

Food technologist’s employment

Current Projected growth*

2013 2014 2014-19 2019-24

825824down 0.6%

3.4% per year 3.1% per year

* Projections apply to the broader category, “Natural and Physical Science Professionals”.

The number of Food Technologists has remained steady for several years, and is forecast to grow over the next ten years.

FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS JOB PROSPECTS

- +FEES

- +INCOME

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JOB PROSPECTS Prospects for food technologists are generally good. There is a shortage of skilled food technologists in New Zealand and growing industry demand.

Some of the larger food companies may prefer those with a few years’ experience, but that can be achieved by working in other areas of the food manufacturing industry.

At a glance

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Source: MBIE Estimates – Employment numbers are for the broader category of “Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists”.

Food technologists appear on Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skill shortage list, indicating the government is actively encouraging skilled workers in that occupation to work in New Zealand.

→ Immigration NZ, skill shortage list: skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz

Where to find job vacancies

The number of online job vacancies for chemists and food and wine scientists (a category that includes food technologists) remained unchanged between September 2014 and September 2015. This compares with an overall increase of 1.9% for all vacancies over the same period.

Food technologist vacancies are advertised through public media such as the Trade Me Jobs and Seek websites.

→ Trade Me Jobs: www.trademe.co.nz/jobs

→ Seek: www.seek.co.nz

Career path

Career paths may lead to research and development (R&D) management, technical management, consumer research, or general management.

As well as industry pathways, there are more research-focused opportunities available in universities and other research institutions.

■ Other informationLinks

More information on food technologists is available on the Careers New Zealand website.

→ Careers New Zealand: www.careers.govt.nz

→ New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology: www.nzifst.org.nz/careers/default.asp

Empl

oym

ent

Estimate Forecast

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

2009 2014 2019 2024

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS

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