Valuable Metrics That Link Training to Successful Implementation

Introduction: As Produce Safety Standards under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) evolve, the global food industry must ensure food handlers, at all levels, receive timely and pertinent education and training to stay ahead of potential problems. As an established training provider, the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) has achieved positive effects through essential courses and workshops regarding food safety, risk analysis in general, and global food law and regulation.

Purpose: As companies and consulting firms targeting the training needs associated with food safety, and more specifically, FSMA are being created in great numbers, we wish to share success stories of over 3,350 trainees from about 55 countries.

Methods: We have implemented effective metrics for measuring values of education and training programs to drive continuous improvements, including program sustainability, instructor evaluation, knowledge measurement before and after training, learner satisfaction, and end-user behavior change. A partnership between the University of Maryland, the FDA, and the private sector has provided us with resources to develop and sustain fit-for-purpose training programs. Collaborations have, also, extended to include federal and international government agencies, industry, academic institutions, and consumer groups.

Results: We will discuss how JIFSAN has built programs through partnerships to promote food safety at home and abroad, leverage and share resources, create a neutral environment conducive to exchange of ideas and research, and develop domestic and international collaborations. Examples of several past projects will be provided to illustrate pitfalls and suggest metrics monitoring to improve outcome.

Significance: Our valuable metrics that link training to successful implementation will definitely help the audience to advance education programs of their own.