2023 3-A SSI
EDUCATION EVENT

The 3-A SSI Dr. Ron Schmidt Student Travel Award provides an opportunity for qualified full-time students enrolled in a relevant field of study to attend the 2023 3-A SSI Education Program and Annual Meeting, May 9-11, 2023 at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. The travel award is intended for students who seek to supplement their classroom training with greater practical knowledge about all aspects of hygienic design for equipment and systems used in food processing.

The travel award was created in honor of Professor Emeritus Dr. Ronald H. Schmidt of Gainesville, Fla., who passed away on October 12, 2020. His teaching career with the University of Florida Food Science and Human Nutrition Department spanned almost 40 years, and Ron was an internationally known expert on food safety and sanitary design. Above all, Ron was passionate about engaging 3-A SSI to inspire the next generation of food industry professionals to learn about all aspects of hygienic equipment design and food safety. Through his leadership, the 3-A SSI travel award began in 2010 and today honors his legacy for those setting a professional course in a food-related career.

Eligibility Criteria‍

• Demonstrate interest and commitment to food safety and quality as a student enrolled full-time in a food technology, food science, dairy science or other closely related program (undergraduate or graduate level) at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada at the time of the application deadline.
• Submit a single application package by the application deadline of March 20, 2023 with all of the following;
  Candidate Application Form – Complete the candidate details.
  ‍Statement of Interest – Explain your interest in hygienic equipment design/food safety, your career objective, and what you hope to gain from participating in the 3-A SSI events.
  Letter of Recommendation – From a faculty member or department head.

Download the 3-A SSI Dr. Ron Schmidt Student Travel Award application and program details

Applications are now available from 3-A SSI for candidates interested in becoming a 3-A SSI Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE). Those who meet application requirements will be eligible to sit for the exam on Monday, May 8, 2023 at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. The exam will be administered in conjunction with the upcoming 3-A SSI program, “Hygienic By Design: Reducing Risk in Your Facility.” Registration for the Annual Meeting is not required for CCE candidates to sit for the exam.

Only CCEs are allowed to conduct Third Party Verification (TPV) Inspections for reporting conformity of food processing equipment to 3-A Sanitary Standards and Accepted Practices. TPV inspections are required for equipment manufacturers, equipment resellers, and process system installations to obtain, renew and amend a 3-A Symbol Authorization, Process Certification or Replacement Parts & System Components Qualification Certification.

The basic qualification criteria for an individual to become a CCE include:

• Bachelor of Science degree in science or engineering plus three (3) years of experience in relevant food or pharmaceutical processing. One (1) year of the three (3) years of general experience must be directly related to equipment design or sanitary processes covered by 3-A Sanitary Standards,
  or‍

• High school graduation plus five (5) years of experience in relevant food or pharmaceutical processing. Three (3) years of the five (5) years of general experience must be directly related to equipment design or sanitary processes covered by 3-A Sanitary Standards.

All CCE candidates must have the ability to review and evaluate complex processes and be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the equipment and processes to which 3-A Sanitary Standards or Accepted Practices are applied. The CCE must have the ability to interpret 3-A Sanitary Standards or Accepted Practices as well as engineering drawings and designs. CCE candidates must provide references attesting to the candidate's work experience and integrity.

 Download the CCE application form.

Complete CCE application packages must be received by 3-A SSI no later than the close of business on Friday, March 31, 2023. A non-refundable application fee of $475 is payable by check to 3-A SSI. This fee covers the application, CCE Exam Fee and the applicant’s first-year credential fee. Candidates passing the exam will be eligible to become a CCE. For more details, contact Eric Schweitzer at (703) 790-0295, ext. 1 or by email at erics@3-a.org.

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