ÉPAQ: A new training course in the quality control of aquatic products to meet the needs of the industry

Food quality and safety will be in the spotlight in a new Attestation of Collegial Studies (AEC) offered as of February 20 at the School of Fisheries and Aquaculture du Québec (ÉPAQ) located in Grande-Rivière, but also from three other training sites in Rivière-au-Renard, Mont-Louis and the Magdalen Islands. Most training will be done remotely to provide greater flexibility for registered workers.

This training was born out of a request from the industry, which is experiencing a shortage of skilled labor in quality control. It was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Sectoral Committee for Maritime Fisheries Workforce (CSMOPM), which obtained the necessary funding from the Short-Term Training Program (COUD). “This new certification will enable plant personnel of all ages to acquire skills in hygiene, occupational health and safety, chemistry and microbiology as well as food inspection and quality assurance,” says Marilène Nicolas, educational advisor.

Thanks to the equipment available at ÉPAQ, the pilot plant and the laboratory, the learning can be put into practice. Mrs. Nicolas adds that “staff will improve their knowledge of the organoleptic evaluation of the various processed species, food chemistry, packaging processes and the implementation of a quality management program (QMP)”.

The program, comprising 19 weeks of 30 hours of lessons, will be divided into two periods. The first will take place from February 20 to March 10 and the second will be held between November 2023 and March 2024, in order to respect the low season of the fishing industry. A 90-hour internship in a company must then be completed.

It is still possible to register by writing to formation@pechesmaritimes.org or by calling 418 361-2626.