CAREER HOTLINE
Food processing parks to give fillip to food technology
Pervin Malhotra

Q What are the prospects after doing a course in Applied Science in Food Technology (B.Sc.)?

A The government has set a target of attracting investment worth more than Rs 1,40,000 crore over the next 10 years to raise the level of food processing from 2 per cent to 10 per cent of the GDP.

A network of food processing parks and food labs is being established and grants of up to Rs 50 lakh are being offered by the government to promote entrepreneurship in the field of food processing and preservation. All these measures are expected to generate direct employment for 75 lakh persons.

The industry offers several employment avenues. Here are some:

Production jobs: Food preservation and specialised work in production units of the food manufacturing industry.

Technical jobs: Research assistants, food analysts, demonstrators, food scientists, quality assurance experts, etc.

Academic: Teaching jobs in senior secondary schools, polytechnics and Home Science colleges.

Sales jobs: Sales promotion of nutritive ready-to-cook foods and beverages and health snacks.

Service jobs: In hotels, tourist resorts, catering establishments, fast-food joints etc.

Openings in cruise liners

Q After getting a degree in Hotel Management, what are the prospects of working with a shipping company? Will I require some additional training?

— Manohar Daljeet

A Jobs in cruise liners are the fastest growing sector in the leisure industry. Market analysts predict that the sector will need to fill 41,500 new jobs by 2005, of which two-thirds will comprise of hotel staff.

Operations on a liner differ from that in a hotel property. The scale is massive, often the volumes are far higher than an average five-star property. The departments have to cater to the masses.

Two or three years of work experience in a five/four-star property, good personality, a positive attitude, good communication skills and command on English are the main requirements for the job. The only additional training you may need to work at sea is in safety, fire fighting and crowd control, which you will receive on the job.

While the money (plus tips) is good, this line of work has its pitfalls — like extremely long working hours (12-18 hours per day), offshore posting for 6 months or more, monotonous routines, seasickness etc.

In a reciprocal arrangement with INS Hamla (Indian Navy), the NCHMT will offer short-term courses on cruise liners at their institutes based in the coastal areas of Goa, Thiruvanthapuram and Chennai.

Resuming studies

Q I had to discontinue my studies for some reason. I could not even complete my matriculation. Please advise how I should continue my studies. I feel very inadequate.

A So what if you couldn't complete your schooling? Nothing is lost even now. You can happily continue your education even at this stage.

The Open School and University system is specifically designed for people like you who may have had to discontinue their studies for one reason or another.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (formerly, National Open School), under the Department of Education, GoI, is one option. The NIOS conducts exams at the matriculation level for which the notification is issued in June/July and the application deadline is August. The forms are available at NIOS study centres at a nominal price.

Exams are held in November and May. In addition to other vocational courses, the NIOS also offers 1-year certificate courses in Computer Applications and Library Science.

The good thing about the NIOS is that you don't have to give all your exams in one go. You can do so in lots at your convenience.

Yet another option if you wish to continue your education further is to seek direct enrolment for a Bachelor's degree at an Open University like IGNOU. Even if you don't have the necessary formal qualifications, you can apply for these student-friendly courses at any age and even more conveniently, from home if you so wish. While some of these open universities admit students on the basis of an entrance test, others like IGNOU ask you to take a short preparatory programme (BPP) prior to joining the course. Besides these, several regular universities offer a whole array of degree and diploma level courses through their distance learning programmes. So just go ahead and study as much as you want.

Baking basics

Q I am a student of Class XII (Arts). I am very interested in learning professional baking — making quality breads, cookies, pastries, cakes, etc. Kindly suggest a reputed institution in Delhi which offers such a course.

— Shubha Jaiswal, Mohali

A Did you know that India has the world's second largest biscuit industry (after China)? And that the unorganised sector accounts for 60 per cent of sales of all bakery products in India? Well, now that you do, just go ahead and check out some of these courses that will help you master the art (and craft) of baking. Once you've grasped the basics some practice (a few burnt cookies and one or two stubborn, refusing-to-rise cakes) followed by some more experimentation - and you'll soon be perfect!

l Your best bet would be the 1`BD-yr Craft Course (including 6-month industrial training) in Bakery & Confectionery offered by the Food Craft Institute, Chandigarh or Panipat.

Commencement of the Course: June/July.

Admission Procedure: These courses are advertised in the newspapers between February and May. Entrance is through a test/interview.

l Another good option if you would like to start your own bakery unit would be to sign up for the Entrepreneurship Development Programme on the Bakery Industry offered from time to time by the Small Industries Service Institutes (GoI, M/o Small Scale, Agro & Rural Industries). Log on to SISI Ludhiana's website: www.sisldh.com for details.

Besides guidelines on setting up your own unit, the programme introduces you to baking technology - production and processes involved in manufacture, packaging and marketing of bakery products, besides sourcing finance and selecting the right equipment.

The course covers practical and theoretical aspects of fruit & vegetable preservation and dairy products.

It also covers 10-day in-plant practical training at a professional Hotel Management Institute.

Eligibility: Passed class 10.

Age: 18-40 years.

Physiotherapy prospects

Q I have successfully completed 2 years of BPT. I would now like to know about the job opportunities for physiotherapists, especially abroad.

— Parminder Sondhi

A As compared to other paramedical professions, employment opportunities for physiotherapists are excellent, as this is a career where the demand exceeds supply. The requirement for physiotherapists in India and abroad, especially in countries like the USA, Canada and Australia is immense.

Physiotherapists play an important role in the treatment of patients with muscular and cerebral problems. Like all other medical and paramedical professionals, physiotherapists work in hospitals, orthopaedic departments, rehabilitation centres for the handicapped, schools for the mentally retarded and physically disabled children, healthcare centres and defence medical establishments. Physiotherapists can also opt for teaching, while those with adequate capital can establish private clinics of their own.

The initial remuneration of physiotherapists in government hospitals varies between Rs. 4,500 and Rs 6,000. But the private hospitals offer a relatively better package. Most well-run private hospitals offer a starting salary around Rs 7,500 which could go up to Rs 10,000 per month. The remuneration for established private practitioners can be almost Rs 20,000 to 40,000 per month.

Most physiotherapists, after gaining an experience of 4-5 years, could start their own practice, in which case, they will charge according to the number of hours given to individual patients, usually around Rs. 250 per sitting. If you are enterprising, you can even incorporate acupressure and some ayurvedic massage techniques using herbal oils etc into your treatment to make it more holistic.

Paramilitary forces

Q Could you tell me something about the recent move to unify the paramilitary services? What does it entail?

— Rimesh Khaitan

A The Cabinet Committee on Security and the Union Home Ministry are bringing the BSF, CRPF, ITBP and CISF under a unified command over the next five years.

While retaining their individuality, the four forces now function more homogeneously to combat insurgency and border security. This move also helps upgrade and share their operations, weaponry, training and intelligence to improve the country's internal security management.

A total of 209 new battalions are being raised for the four forces and sophisticated Global Imaging System (GIS) for coordinating counter-terrorism operations and keeping vigil in the border areas are being introduced.

A Joint Entrance Exam is conducted by the UPSC for the Central Paramilitary Forces and the Services Selection Board (SSB) for recruitment of Asstt. Commandants in the BSF, CRPF and ITBP (on the lines of the NDA exam) to ensure uniformity in the selection process.

Selection interviews are subsequently conducted by the respective paramilitary forces.

Tradesmen in Technical Trades, Ground Duty Staff and Medical Corps staff are recruited directly by the respective battalions.

Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers@tribunemail.com