Online Food Safety training is brilliant for its flexibility to fit into our very busy lives. Other strongly believe old school in class training is more beneficial for learning. We believe, it’s completely up to the individual. Online, In Class or virtual – learn in a style that works for you. If you need an Accredited Food Safety Level 1 or a Food Safety Supervisor course, this guide is for you. To gain your accreditation, you need to complete a practical assessment. How you do this, depends on how you learn. If you’re considering an online Accredited Food Safety course, this might be an issue. Is this the reason we’re seeing an increase of in class, face-to-face food safety training? Maybe. Let us explain the pros and cons of each food safety training style to help you find what works for you.
Online Food Safety Training
The advantage of online food safety training undoubtably is the convenience of learning anytime you want. Once the kids are in bed, first thing in the morning or on a weekend - whenever you can fit it in, you can login and learn. Online learning certainly suits our busy lifestyles.
However, the flexibility of online training can be a hindrance too. It’s easy to enrol and forget or start and not finish. While all of these are obvious, when it comes to online accredited Food Safety Training, there is something that you may not know.
Online Accredited Food Safety Training
To gain your accreditation with Food Safety Level 1 and Level 2, there’s a practical assessment to prove you have absorbed the food safety knowledge. Because you have learnt the content online, you will need a current certified Food Safety Supervisor to view your assessment and sign off on it before submitting your assessment. Only then, can you then receive your certification.
If you work with a company who already has a Food Safety Supervisor, then it will be easy to get assessed for your practical assessment to pass this component. However this can be difficult for people looking for work, or who work for companies who don’t have a another chef. It is possible to get it signed off by a paid observer in this case, for an additional cost or by someone who has worked as a chef for more than 5 years. Just note, the observer must provide their certificate or a resume to show their eligibility.
Before enrolling into an Online Accredited Food Safety Supervisor or Food Safety Level 1 course, ensure you have someone to review your assessment. If this is a hurdle for you, don’t worry there’s other options for you to learn. Now, let’s take compare this with In Class Food Safety Training.
Pros - Online training
Flexibility: Online courses allow learners to study at their own pace and convenience, fitting around work schedules and personal commitments.
Accessibility: Participants can access course materials from anywhere with an internet connection, making it suitable for remote or geographically dispersed learners.
Cons - Online training
Limited interaction: Learners may miss out on face-to-face interactions with instructors and peers, which can be crucial for discussions, clarification of doubts, and practical demonstrations.
Self-discipline required: Some learners may find it challenging to stay motivated and disciplined without the structure and accountability provided by traditional classroom settings. Some take longer to complete as there is no set date to complete.
Technical issues: Technical glitches or internet connectivity problems can disrupt the learning experience, causing frustration and delays.
Limited hands-on experience: While theoretical knowledge can be effectively conveyed online, hands-on skills training is limited or require additional arrangements, such as looking for a third-party to sign off the practical assessment. The Third Party must meet the criteria of an “Observer” and must also provide evidence of their eligibility. Which can be a hindrance as it is time consuming and an additional cost to access paid observers.
Face-to-face Food Safety Training
Face to Face, or traditional in Class Food Safety training has it wonderful advantages too. Training is held on at a set time and location. You have a trainer live in front of you, who can answer your questions on the spot, clarify the content and tailor the education with practically examples to your industry (childcare or aged care). In Class training also provides the opportunity to network with others within the same industry.
Of course, there are some downsides to in class training too. There may not be a training session on day at suits you or the travel to the location is too much especially if you live regionally. Some employees are required to gain their accreditation outside of work hours, meaning employees may need to take an unpaid day off to come into class to learn.
In class Accredited Food Safety Training
Our Food Safety Supervisor and Food Safety Level 1 courses are held within a single session time including the assessment. Meaning there’s no homework, no need for a Food Safety Supervisor to sign off afterwards. Simply, come into the training room, learn everything you need to know, complete the assessment and then you’re ready to keep residents and children safe.
Pros – In Class Training
Interaction: In-person training allows for real-time interaction with instructors and fellow participants, facilitating discussions, Q&A sessions, and hands-on demonstrations.
Immediate feedback: Learners receive immediate feedback on their understanding and performance, enabling them to address any misconceptions or gaps in knowledge promptly.
Practical demonstrations: Hands-on activities and practical demonstrations are easier to conduct in face-to-face settings, providing valuable experiential learning opportunities. We provide animated discussions on Food Safety matters around practical sessions by relating to each participant’s actual place of work.
Networking: Participants have the chance to network with industry professionals, exchange experiences, and build relationships that can be beneficial for future career opportunities.
Cons – In Class Training
Travel requirements: Participants may need to travel to attend training sessions, incurring additional expenses and time commitments.
Limited accessibility: Face-to-face training may not be accessible to individuals with mobility issues or those located in remote areas without convenient access to training facilities.
As you can see, both online and in class accredited food safety training has its advantages and disadvantages. However, there is a third option that may work for you too.
Virtual Food Safety Training
Virtual Food Safety training is the combination of both online and in-person training. It is held online via Microsoft Teams meaning you can learn from whenever you are (regional, interstate, at home, or in the office) without any travel time or costs.
Our virtual training sessions is live with the qualified trainer. Providing the benefits of in class training without being in the same room. Which is even more popular during the cooler months, to reduce the spread of colds and flu. The practical assessment is completed within the virtual training session, and you can ask questions when they arise to ensure you know how to keep people safe. Being set on a structured date and time it ensures you complete your course in one day.
Where some people find issues with virtual food safety training is the technical side and the learning environment. Locations with poor internet may have issues connecting or if you’re using someone else’ computer finding the speakers, volume and camera can be difficult. For virtual training, you will need a computer, laptop or tablet with a camera to follow along with the learning materials, join in group discussions and take notes.
Pros – Virtual food safety training
Interaction: Virtual class training offers real-time interaction with instructors and peers through discussions, and Q&A sessions. This facilitates immediate clarification of doubts, group collaboration, and personalized feedback.
Structured Learning: Participants follow a predetermined schedule for attending virtual class sessions, providing a structured learning experience that helps maintain focus and accountability.
Engagement: Virtual class training incorporates interactive features such as opportunity to talk about each one experiences, either a food poisoning experience or an allergic reaction, enhancing engagement and participation among learners.
Flexibility: While virtual class training follows a set schedule for participants, they also have flexibility in accessing and course materials asynchronously. This allows participant to review the content of their assessment at their own pace outside of scheduled sessions before sending through their completed assessments.
Guidance: Participants receive guidance and instruction from qualified instructors throughout the course, ensuring that they understand complex concepts such as the Legal Requirements of Food Safety Standards and receive immediate feedback on their progress.
Community: Virtual class training fosters a sense of community among participants, who can interact with peers, share experiences, and collaborate on assignments or projects.
Cons – Virtual Food Safety Training
Technical Requirements: Participants need access to reliable internet connections and suitable devices (e.g., computers, tablets) to participate effectively in virtual class training.
Learning Environment: Participants may face distractions or interruptions in their home or office environment, potentially affecting their concentration and learning experience.
Dependence on Technology: Technical issues such as connectivity problems or software glitches can disrupt virtual class sessions, requiring troubleshooting and potentially affecting the learning experience.
Comparing Online, In Class and Virtual Accredited Food Safety Training
Depending on your learning style, location and availability there’s an accredited training option for you. To sum up, take a look at this table.
Accredited Food Safety Training | Online | In Class | Virtual |
Live | No | Yes | Yes |
Travel | No | Yes | No |
Set time | No | Yes | Yes |
Requires a Third Party Observer for practical Assessment | Yes | No | No |
Presented by a Qualified Trainer | No | Yes | Yes |
Please note: all these comparisons are only for OSCAR Care Group Accredited Food Safety Training styles. This does not include non-accredited food safety training. Different training companies may have different pros and cons depending on their setup. Our aim is only to provide this helpful guide to empower you to find a learning style that suits you.
How do you want to learn?
Ultimately, the choice between online and face-to-face food safety training depends on factors such as individual learning preferences, availability, and the specific requirements of the training program. Some learners may benefit more from the flexibility and convenience of online courses, while others may prefer the hands-on experience and interaction offered by traditional classroom settings. Virtual Classroom provide the perfect combination of a structured classroom within the comfort and accessibility of online session. However you want to learn, we’re here to help learn how to keep food safe around residents and young children. Reach out to our team of food safety experts today.