IFPTI Training Newsletter - June 2024

• Final files were submitted for FD225: Sprout Inspections for Regulators and RH 330: Inspections of X-ray Manufacturers
• The process to kick off a new FDA course has been started. The course will be FD145: Basic Shellfish. Work will include competency development process, which will turn into learning objectives, and give them an outline for the content in the course.
• In anticipation of the finalization of the FDA’s National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) Model Ordinance for Shellfish, multiple shellfish courses will undergo updates, such as NSSP Wet Storage and Depuration as well as FD245: Shellfish Plant Standardization.
• Work continues on the development of a business plan for the National Coordination Center (NCC) for the Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (RLTS). The business plan is one of many implementation activities coming out of the RLTS Strategic Plan. The NCC will be a public-private partnership and overseen by a steering committee made up of nine associations, the Partnership for Food Protection (PFP), FDA, USDA, and CDC. The business plan will be shared with stakeholders for input.

World Food Safety Day 2024

In observance of World Food Safety Day, IFPTI is supporting food safety education by contributing 50% of the cost on the Listeria Control Specialist program for the month of June.

To take advantage of the reduced rate, enroll in these courses using this coupon code: LCS-50

Help Shape the Future of Regulatory and Laboratory Training

The FDA, its human and animal food regulatory and laboratory association partners, and the Partnership for Food Protection are excited to launch a 5-year IFSS RLTS Strategic Plan (Fiscal Years 2024 through 2028) and companion Implementation Plan to design and implement an RLTS that will revolutionize how human and animal food regulatory and laboratory training is administered in the United States. Click here to see the organizations that worked with the FDA to develop the 5-year IFSS RLTS Strategic Plan. Click here to learn more about the steps taken by the project team to develop the IFSS RLTS Strategic and Implementation Plans.

How can you get involved? Volunteers are needed to serve on advisory committees to develop national course content, design, delivery, and alignment determination standards and policies.

Come Visit IFPTI at the AFDO Conference

On Sunday, June 9th at 1:15pm-2:00pm during the update of the FDA’s Office of Partnerships, Dr. Craig Kaml and FDA’s Alan Tart (OP Deputy Director) will present The Future of Training is Here! Navigating the Reimagined IFSS Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (RLTS).

Come visit the IFPTI booth at the AFDO Conference and take a look inside the framework with the Interactive National Curriculum Standard (iNCS).

The Regulatory and Laboratory frameworks are organized by levels divided into content areas. Here competencies are defined, learning resources are aligned, and assessments can be accessed. These frameworks help serve as a one-stop shop for the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by regulators and laboratory professionals to successfully perform their jobs and are key foundation pieces of the RLTS.

Booth visitors will have a chance to win from 25 lucky content areas that have been replaced with prizes - try your luck while getting to know the iNCS!

National Curriculum Standard Buildout: Management Level

IFPTI continued to complete the buildout of the National Curriculum Standard (NCS), which is a foundational element of the Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (RLTS) for human and animal food regulators. The NCS sets forth the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) needed by regulators for successful job performance across all jurisdictions.

During the week of May 20, 2024, IFPTI facilitated an in-person subject matter expert working group meeting in Denver focusing on the Management Level of the NCS. The working group built out a competency standard within four content areas (Program Acumen, Resource Management, Team Management, and Employee Performance) applicable to individuals at the Management Level, who are defined as human and animal food protection professionals who manage a part of a regulatory program and supervise employees.

• AFDO Annual Conference: June 9-12 in Grand Rapids, MI.
• IAFP Annual Meeting: July 14-17 in Long Beach, CA.
• NEHA Annual Educational Conference and Exhibition: July 15-18 in Pittsburgh, PA

IFPTI partners with organizations in the public health community to provide a shared library for eLearning courses with a broad range of topic areas.