Diploma in Traceability and Quality in Processing
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in traceability and quality in processing: 8 modules covering quality systems, product traceability, MES and electronic records, statistical process control, automatic inspection, non-conformity management and auditing under Regulation (EC) 178/2002, Regulation (EC) 852/2004 and ISO 22000:2018, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Traceability and Quality in Processing — studying from Ireland
Ireland's manufacturing and technology sectors create strong demand for robotics, automation and control engineering, particularly in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food processing and electronics. Research centres and universities contribute work in autonomous systems, sensing and control theory, with links to industry through national research programmes. Engineers in this area design, integrate and commission robotic cells, programmable logic controllers and industrial automation systems. Safety requirements for machinery and robotic systems are overseen by national safety authorities and European machinery standards.
Fees for Ireland: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies relate to robotics and control engineering, and is this qualification recognised?
Robotics and control engineers in Ireland commonly pursue membership through Engineers Ireland, and the Science Foundation Ireland-funded research ecosystem supports the field. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body rather than conferred by the programme.
How do Irish employers in automation and robotics view private online training?
Employers in Ireland's technology and manufacturing automation sectors often value demonstrable project work and practical skills. A private online qualification can support your application, including through the final project, but its weight is at each employer's discretion. No particular role or career outcome is guaranteed.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and what language is it taught in?
The programme is taught entirely in English and delivered 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in Ireland or abroad. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and an assigned technical tutor supports you throughout.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Implement quality systems based on HACCP and ISO 22000.
Design traceability systems using GS1 and EPCIS standards.
Manage batch genealogy through MES systems.
Apply statistical process control on automated lines.
Validate automatic inspection equipment.
Manage deviations, complaints and product recalls.
Prepare the organisation for certification audits.
Who it's for
- Quality managers in processing plants.
- MES systems engineers.
- Food safety technicians.
- Process quality analysts.
- Quality systems auditors.
- Traceability managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into the food and beverage industry.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EC) 178/2002 (general food law and traceability)
- Regulation (EC) 852/2004 (hygiene of foodstuffs)
- ISO 22000:2018 (food safety management systems)
- ISO 22005:2007 (traceability in the feed and food chain)
- IFS Food version 8 (food safety certification standard)
- BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 (global food safety standard)
- GS1 EPCIS 2.0 (traceability event standard)
- Codex Alimentarius CXC 1-1969 (general principles of food hygiene)
- SAP Digital Manufacturing
- Minitab
- InfinityQS
- Mettler-Toledo ProdX
- Cognex VisionPro
8 modules
1.1Hazards in food and beverage processing1.2The HACCP system and its seven principles1.3Prerequisites and good manufacturing practices1.4ISO 22000 and FSSC 220001.5IFS Food and BRCGS standards1.6Regulation (EC) 178/20021.7Food safety culture1.8Automated critical control points1.9Process quality indicators1.10Case study: HACCP plan for a juice line
2.1Backward, internal and forward traceability2.2Batch identification2.3GS1 standards and GTIN2.4GS1-128 and DataMatrix codes2.5EPCIS for traceability events2.6In-line labelling and marking2.7Aggregation and packaging hierarchy2.8Mock recalls2.9Response time to alerts2.10Laboratory: EPCIS event model for a line
3.1MES quality and traceability functions3.2Batch genealogy3.3Integration with PLC and ERP3.4Electronic batch record3.5Recipe and specification management3.6Product release3.7ISA-95 level 3 architecture3.8Selection of MES solutions3.9Phased implementation3.10Practical exercise: batch genealogy in a demonstration MES
4.1Variability and assignable causes4.2X-R and X-S control charts4.3p and c attribute charts4.4Cp and Cpk capability4.5Weight control under packaging regulations4.6Western Electric rules4.7Automated in-line SPC4.8Measurement system analysis4.9Actions on out-of-control conditions4.10Workshop: SPC of fill weight with line data
5.1Machine vision for inspection5.2X-ray foreign body detection5.3Metal detectors5.4Closure and label inspection5.5Dynamic checkweighing5.6Code and date verification5.7Rejection and reject verification5.8Validation of inspection equipment5.9False reject rate5.10Case study: validation of a metal detector
6.1Process deviations6.2Batch hold and blocking6.3Root cause analysis6.4Corrective and preventive actions6.5Complaint management6.6Recalls and notification to authorities6.7Quality indicators6.8Management review6.9Continuous improvement6.10Practical exercise: 8D for a foreign body complaint
7.1Quality data integrity7.2Quality dashboards7.3Predictive quality analytics7.4Blockchain and supply chain traceability7.5Certification audits7.6Preparation for official inspections7.7Food fraud and vulnerability7.8Food defence7.9Documentary compliance7.10Case study: preparing for an IFS audit
8.1Description of the process and product8.2Hazard analysis and CCPs8.3Traceability system design8.4MES architecture and records8.5SPC and inspection plan8.6Non-conformity management8.7Mock recall8.8System evaluation8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SAP Digital Manufacturing, Minitab, InfinityQS, Mettler-Toledo ProdX and Cognex VisionPro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: a mock recall with full traceability, statistical control of fill weight, and validation of an X-ray inspection unit. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EC) 178/2002, Regulation (EC) 852/2004, ISO 22000:2018, ISO 22005:2007, IFS Food version 8, BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, GS1 EPCIS 2.0, Codex Alimentarius CXC 1-1969.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SAP Digital Manufacturing, Minitab, InfinityQS, Mettler-Toledo ProdX and Cognex VisionPro, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer capable of running the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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