At some of Australia’s most iconic food brands through to new start-ups and boutique businesses, TAFE SA graduates are using their knowledge and skills to guide food quality and safety.

Graduates of the Diploma of Food Science and Technology cover a broad range of topics including food biochemistry and microbiology, developing an understanding of the science that underpins food development.

Matthew Lee’s qualification in food science and technology has equipped him for roles with leading manufacturers and even led to a stint as a judge on a reality television show.

Matthew is the New Product Development Coordinator at Arnott’s Biscuits where he helps turn new ideas into commercial reality.

“When we have a new product idea, part of my role is to explore if we have the capacity to make it, for instance, do we have the equipment that we need and can we store and handle the ingredients,” he says.

Matthew says his role can also include coordinating the testing of a product through to manufacturing and ensuring product quality and safety, a job which provides plenty of variety and the opportunity to mix with all areas of the business.

An unexpected part of his role was to be a judge on Channel 9 reality show Snackmasters which aired late last year with chefs being challenged to recreate two of Arnott’s favourite biscuits, a Tim Tam and Iced Vovo.

“It was interesting to see how the television show is made but I’m much more comfortable in my day job,” he says.

Matthew started the Diploma course with the goal of being a food auditor but soon realised he preferred the laboratory and product development.

“Since graduating I’ve worked in new products, quality management and production supervising roles,” he says.

“The course covered such a variety of different, relevant topics and provided hands-on experience which was great preparation for the workforce.”

Hoda Yavari (pictured), Quality Officer at Mobo Group, says she felt well prepared and confident when, after completing the Diploma course, she took on her first job as a quality assurance officer at Balfours.

She says the combination of hands-on training and great facilities offered at TAFE SA enabled her to build on her skills and gain “fantastic experience”.

Hoda migrated from Iran to Australia with her husband in 2015 and already had a Food Science Bachelor, but she enrolled in the Diploma in 2018 to update her knowledge, especially around Australian Standards, and become familiar with South Australian companies.

“The theory was similar to my university course while the practical, hands-on activities were excellent and our lecturers provided great support,” she says.

“TAFE SA’s modern facilities including the laboratory were such a highlight. The equipment and methods you use in the course are very close to what you find in industry, so I was confident enough in the workplace, even in my first job.”

In her current role at Mobo Group, which provides employment for people living with a disability, Hoda maintains the site HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) requirement and oversees the quality of a range of food products handled on site by monitoring and controlling the packaging process to make sure all processing meets food quality and safety standards.

She also trains participants, both able bodied and those with special needs, and liaises with customers, contractors and other staff at Mobo Group to ensure projects are completed to a high standard.

Hoda says she is passionate about her role and feels “motivated every day at work”.

International student Denzel Lukman is planning to take his new-found knowledge back to Indonesia where his family has a jam factory.

“I have to learn about food science and technology for my business; it’s a jam business that was started by my grandmother,’ he says.

Denzel started the Diploma course at TAFE SA in February and says he’s enjoying the balance of practical and theory lessons.

“You can see how the theory works when you get to the practical activities and the content has a lot of relevance for my business,” he says.

Denzel says he appreciates the lecturers’ connections with industry and the organised tours to local food businesses.

“We went to a beverage manufacturer in Adelaide and it was so useful for me to network and see behind the scenes of this business,” he says.

For more information about studying at TAFE SA, please visit Food Technology (tafesa.edu.au).