The food subsector is an integral part of the manufacturing sector. It contributes 10 per cent to manufacturing and provides direct employment to about 500,000 people and 800,000 others in related areas. But still, the sector needs more hands. In recent times, the industry has provided opportunities for those in search of a career.
There are openings for food scientists and technologists, who are expected to have first degrees. Though they perform different functions, they are needed to grow the industry.
According to experts, the industry is in need of food specialists to ensure growth.
A don, Prof Dele Fapohunda, of the Department of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, said most companies are searching for qualified food scientists and technologists to foster growth.
He said they are needed to assist in the production and development of new products. He said the required workers must have good skills, and must be highly educated, preferably graduates with degrees in the sciences.
Fapohunda said the workers are required to ensure the safety of foods. He said there are concerns over food safety, which only specialists can use their skills to douse.
He said scientists are expected to determine whether certain foods are fit for consumption or not, as well as certifying their nutritional values.
The don said scientists must examine the chemicals used in preparing certain foods to guarantee their safety.
Large multinational companies dominate the industry. They account for 40 per cent of the jobs in the industry. The companies include Nestle, Cadbury Nigeria and Flour Mills, which have a large workforce.
But, there is a misconception about the types of jobs in the industry.
Fapohunda said there is need to ascertain the nature of food science and the opportunities available in the job market.
Universities, he said, must work closely with the industry to identify the kind of hands needed.
The President, Federation of African Nutrition Societies, Prof Tola Atinmo, said there is little awareness about the opportunities in the industry. He said opportunities abound in the scientific and commercial divisions of the industry.
Atinmo said academics and practitioners must work together to bring young people into the industry, adding that the scientific division of the industry needs workers that specialise in developing new products.
He said the roles of food technologists include quality assurance, processing and product development.
Atino, who is of the Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, Ibadan, said the processed food industry is going to experience growth, adding that the government is planning to empower Nigerians on how to transform cash crops into high-value, high-demand food products.
He said there will be openings in production, storage, preservation, canning, packaging and distribution of food products, adding that the industry needs specialists who can work in these areas.
A senior lecturer, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Dr Kola Adebayo, said the agric food industry is a major employer of labour. Adebayo said the industry has created jobs for farmers, food processors, equipment manufacturers, specialists and local food sellers.
He said: 'The food industry encompasses a gamut of activities involved in bringing the final product to the consumer, starting with farming to produce input, processing the input and the supply chain involved in delivering the products.'
'The industry has lots of opportunities, all the way from manual labour to the highest tech- processing,' he said.
Adebayo said positive developments in the food processing sector led to the demand for specific skills. At each level in the value chain, there are deficiencies in technical know how and support. According to him, there is high demand for skilled workers in the industry.
Central to the recruitment challenge, is the difficulty in convincing young people to pick up jobs in the industry. Young people are not coming into the industry because of poor pay.
The system, he explained, has the potential of creating thousands of jobs.
For example, young Nigerians could sell food products directly to a retail institution in a consolidated food system.
He said there are schemes to provide employment for youths.
At the lower level, restaurants are the source of most jobs in the industry. Many of restaurant managers appear to be taking the low road, creating a predominantly low-wage industry in which violation of employment and health and safety laws is allowed.
The Chief Executive Officer, Bio-Organics Nutrient Systems Limited, Dr Ken Acholonu, said biofortification has changed the landscape for operators in the sector.
He said industry is aware that micronutrient fortification of staple foods can improve nutrition and health on a broad scale.
Food, he said, is fortified with vitamins and minerals to improve its nutrient value.
He said his company has been building expertise to assist others involved in new product development, working extensively in chilled foods, snacks, ready meals and long-life products.
Adhering to international standards is fundamental to every food producer, no matter the size, or location, he said. With the support of the food industry, he said his organisation has been able to provide technical assistance in food fortification to individual industries.
The company has been urged to assess the fortification capacity of millers, and to provide technical support to encourage the industry’s participation in the fortification initiative.
He said he has employed indigenous specialists, capable of implementing basic technologies appropriate for fortifying foods to international standards. They focus on improving nutritional value by using new ingredients and new processes, he said.
He added that the general impact includes improved nutritional adequacy of locally produced fortified foods and delivery of fresher products.
He said the company has developed considerable expertise in food fortification strategies and technologies.
'Because of expertise, Bio-Organics is involved in conducting experiments, producing sample products and well as designing the processes and machinery for making products with a consistent flavour, colour and texture in large quantities,' he said, adding: 'Operators in the industry are facing challenges of expansion. These include reduced corporate budgets, training cuts, rising ingredients prices and consumption trends for healthier products. In the last five years, a dramatic jump in food commodity prices has had an impact on the industry, since some manufacturers use grains and vegetable oil as inputs to many products.'
Acholonu said food manufacturers are in need of scientists that can bring their wealth of experience to bear on the industry, and also ensure that people get value for their money."
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/business/jobs/33383-wanted-food-scientists.html
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