Training with the APA

The APA Educational Trust and the APA Training Committee organise training courses and seminars and also publish training guides for those studying for Mastership in Chemical Analysis, M.Chem.A. These courses and guides are primarily intended to assist M.Chem.A. students and to provide Continuing Professional Development opportunities for Public Analysts and staff within their laboratories. However, most courses are open to all, whether or not employed in the Public Analyst Service, and the intention is to make all the guides freely available (in pdf format) through this Website.

The M.Chem.A. is the qualification prescribed by the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 1990 for a person to be appointed as a Public Analyst in the United Kingdom. These regulations also provide that the MChemA is an authorised qualification for a person to practice as a Food Examiner. Responsibility for the examination and the award of a Mastership remain with the Royal Society of Chemistry, from which copies of current regulations and syllabus for the examination may be obtained.

The studies necessary to prepare for the M.Chem.A. examination will prove valuable to many working in the food industry, or otherwise concerned with food standards and legislation, whether or not they intend to take the examination. The APA Training Courses will also be useful to food professionals.

Training Guides

The Association has published a number of training guides and other training documents which are available for download

Training Courses

Details of training courses planned or proposed to be organised by the Association during 2011/12 are available.  Details of courses held during 2008, 2009 and 2010, including some presentations are available.