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HOW TO BECOME A FOOD
TECHNOLOGIST.
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■ How to become a food technologist
Food 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.
Numberofstudents
completingqualification
0
50
100
150
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bachelor's Degree PG Diplomas & Honours Master's Degree
Source: Ministry of Education
■ Income and employment prospects
Income
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
825
824
down 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
- +
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 information
Links
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
Employment
Estimate Forecast
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
2009 2014 2019 2024
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS
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