[Viewpoint] Invest in Continuing Education

A key indicator of the long-term success of any business can be linked to management’s financial support of the continuing education of its staff. Those companies that recognize the value of continuing education and invest in the ongoing development of their people perform at a higher level than those organizations that fail to invest in continuing education and training. But that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone in the food processing industry. After all, every food plant must be staffed with properly trained quality assurance and food safety professionals to ensure its products reach the consumer in a safe and unadulterated fashion. To do anything less is to put one’s brand at risk.

That’s why we’re pleased to serve as a Media Partner to the upcoming Food Safety & Security Summit in Washington, D.C. This eagerly anticipated event features some of the most respected names in government and the food processing field, including Dr. David Acheson, assistant commissioner for food protection at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and a keynote address by Rick Frazier, senior vice president of The Coca-Cola Company, who will discuss the 3 R’s of success — risk, revenue and reputation — and the processes being implemented at the Fortune 500 firm designed to ensure the quality and safety of its products. In addition, there is a series of workshops planned that will focus on such diverse topics as Food Safety: A Quality Management Systems Approach; The Global Food Safety Auditing Initiative; Challenges in Implementing HACCP: Validation, Verification & Recordkeeping; Food Safety & the Importance of Harmonized Standards & Common Systems; and Handwashing on Trial: Setting Standards. Changing Behaviors. And that’s just a small sample of the more than 35 educational sessions planned for this always well-attended two-and-a-half-day event.
One of the reasons the Food Safety & Security Summit annually offers such a strong educational program is thanks to the creation of an Executive Educational Advisory Council (EEAC) made up of industry-leading processors, retailers, consultants, educators, foodservice and government professionals. Through the EEAC’s leadership and support, the Summit is able to provide cutting-edge educational sessions for a wide array of food processing professionals.

To learn more about the Food Safety & Security Summit, refer to the brochure in this month’s issue of QA magazine or visit www.foodsafetysummit.com. It represents a major continuing education opportunity for you and your staff. See you at the show!

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Speaking of the Internet, if you haven’t done so already, please check out our Web site, www.qualityassurancemag.com. With the addition of QA Assistant Editor Chuck Bowen, we’ve made a number of valuable additions to the site, including daily news and product updates, as well as an Online Marketplace featuring products and services from major product suppliers serving the food processing industry. In addition, we recently launched QA magazine’s first Product E-Newsletter. If you would like to be added to the distribution list for this valuable new product, or if you have a product you would like to see featured in the E-Newsletter, drop Chuck a line at cbowen@giemedia.com, and he’ll add you to the file. QA

The author is Publisher of QA magazine.