Useful links ICATS - INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR AROMA TRADES STUDIES
Distance Diploma in Aroma Trades Studies
This internationally recognised perfumery/aroma trades qualification provides the total professional development needed by people entering or progressing in the aroma trades industry (perfumery).
The Perfumery Industry need for
an aroma trades education programme
The aroma trades – perfumery - industry has made use of the original perfumery programme devised by David Williams in the 1980s.
The need for flexible provision of Aroma Trades education is increasing rather than decreasing for the following reasons:
-
In the increasingly competitive environment, aroma trades companies no longer have time for extended apprenticeships.
-
The use of senior staff in training has become more and more difficult. Calls on such staff’s time are becoming higher and higher due to the increasingly high demands on their time (e.g. regulatory compliance activities).
-
Similarly, releasing more junior staff for extended ‘off-line’ training courses is equally unfeasible.
-
Flexible delivery which can be built around the business demands is required.
-
The globalisation of the entire industry value chain demands that staff must be highly competent and highly trained.
What will the Aroma Trades Studies programme do for a perfumery/aroma trades company?
The ICATS Aroma Trades distance-learning course provides a cost-effective, flexible component in the training of professional staff in the perfumery industry. It provides a global view of the Aroma Trades industry so that individuals can improve their performance and fit their role into a broader company and industry context.
For aroma chemicals and essential producers and distributors the programme not only provides specific coverage of this level of the industry, but also provides insight into how and why the materials are used in the creative compounding house.
Better understanding of customers improves sales performance. For staff in creative houses, key issues such as management of the brief are considered, thereby improving team performance. The coverage of the nature and manufacture of aroma materials (natural and synthetic) provides the essential grounding that is needed by all involved in the creative house.
What will the Aroma Trades Studies programme do for me?
For the recent graduate, the programme provides the answer to the question ‘What is special about the Aroma Trades industry?’
The coverage from production to finished consumer product provides that essential overview of the perfumery/aroma trades industry that the growing professional needs. Both management issues (e.g. management of new product development) and technical issues (e.g. production of essential oils and aroma chemicals) are included. For existing professionals in the aroma trades industry who want to make that next promotional step up, the Aroma Trades Studies programme provides that vital broader perspective and deeper skill base.
Each level of the aroma trades / perfumery industry is considered and both technical and management issues are covered. For non-science-based candidates, the necessary grounding is provided in the foundation unit.
The Aroma trade is: Art + Science + Technology + Management
The ICATS Diploma in Aroma Trades Studies programme provides the necessary perspectives to succeed in this multi-disciplinary global industry.
Aims & OBJECTIVES of the Aroma Trades Studies programme
-
To provide aroma trades / perfumery developing professionals with a firm grounding of knowledge and understanding to develop their careers and their contribution to the perfumery industry.
-
To add value to the industry and to add value to individual professionals.
-
To provide students with the theory, subject knowledge and skills to enhance their professional performance in the aroma trades industry.
-
To provide this support on a global basis.
-
To provide an integrative treatment of value to young professionals in a variety of roles in all levels of the industry value chain from manufacture of aroma materials to the marketing of fragranced and perfumery products.
-
To provide a framework of formative assessments to prepare candidates for the successful completion of the Aroma Trades programme with the 50-credit dissertation marked by the appointed IFEAT examiner.
Who should take the Aroma Trades programme?
-
Aroma material producers: Production, QA, R&D, trainers, sales and marketing.
-
Bulkers, distillers, brokers, distributors and agents: Production, buying, QA, R&D, trainers, sales and marketing.
-
Creative perfumery houses: Creative perfumers, evaluators, technical support, production, trainers, buying, QA, R&D, sales and marketing.
- Brand and contract manufacturers: Creative perfumers, evaluators, technical support, production, trainers, buying, QA, R&D, sales and marketing.
Retail chains: Technical support, buying, QA, R&D, trainers, product managers.
Structure and content of the programme
The Aroma Trades Studies course is structured into 13 individual units.
Unit 1: Foundation science and mathematics for the Aroma Trades A module introducing the key chemical, physical and mathematical concepts needed to underpin the core modules of the Aroma Trades Studies programme.
Unit 2: Sensory studies and odour language A module providing the student with the necessary background on the olfactory process, the basic concepts of olfaction, introducing the student to a generic scheme for the classification of odours and developing the student’s organoleptic skills.
Unit 3: Aroma materials of natural & synthetic origin A module introducing to students a selection of the major materials used in the Aroma Trades industry. All the major methods of extraction (including historical) of natural products are covered (essential oils, extracts and isolates). To illustrate production of aroma chemicals, the toluene and alpha / beta pinene families are presented.
Unit 4: Creation and evaluation in the Aroma Trades This module provides students with a framework for the creation of fragrances for a variety of end uses. Students will also be made aware of the constraints on the creative process to produce fragrances that cost effectively perform, are legal and safe.
Unit 5: Application of aroma materials A module to provide the student with a background on the nature and manufacture of a range of key fragranced products.
Unit 6: Safety, regulatory and environmental issues This unit will provide students with the necessary theory to understand and apply selected key safety assessments (e.g. compliance with IFRA guidelines), familiarise students with selected key regulatory frameworks (e.g. EU cosmetics directive) and provide students with basic skills to complete a life-cycle and environmental impact assessment for selected products.
Unit 7: Operations, logistics and quality assurance This unit presents the key issues in manufacturing and quality management in the Aroma Trades to students.
Unit 8: Marketing in the Aroma Trades A module introducing the aroma trades business environment, the basic principals of marketing and how they may be applied in the Aroma Trades industry to students.
Unit 9: New product development in the aroma trades This module introduces the student to the new product development process and prepares the student for management in this area.
Unit 10: Project management and the briefing process This is a module to provide the student with the skills and knowledge to manage the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ elements of a project. Specific focus is given to the briefing process and brief management.
Unit 11: Financial and management issues in the aroma trades This module provides the financial background for aroma trades management with specific focus on special issues to be considered in the aroma trades. The focus is on financial management rather than balance sheet and taxation issues which are best left to the professional accountant.
Unit 12: Research methods and dissertation proposal This unit provides the student with the necessary skills to research a dissertation. The outcome will be a research proposal for the 50-credit dissertation.
Unit 13: Dissertation With tutor guidance, the student will produce a dissertation in a relevant Aroma Trades context.
Level of programme and entry qualifications
Graduate entry, but non-graduates will be given accreditation of prior learning (APL) if in employment in the Aroma Trades (CV and letter of employer’s support required).
The level of the programme is postgraduate.
How much time?
5 to 10 hours a week for 12 to 18 months.
What is included in the Aroma Trades Studies programme?
All learning materials, course manuals, set textbooks, work sheets etc., and tutorial support for duration of the programme. Tutorial support and assessment fees are all included.
How to apply
Please complete the downloadable application form (PDF file). Application with fee, purchase order / letter of support from employer and CV.
Learning materials sent out normally within 21 working days of payment being cleared.
Costs £5,500 EU, £6,000 rest of world. IFEAT company members, £4,500.
Assessments A series of tutor marked assignments.
A dissertation assessed by the IFEAT appointed external examiner.
There are no exams.
Continuing professional development (CPD) Each unit may be taken as a freestanding CPD module. However it is strongly recommended that the Foundation Unit is taken first in order to progress to any other unit(s).
On successful completion of each unit, a certificate of completion will be awarded. Please contact us for more information and your specific requirements.
Award The awarding body is IFEAT (International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades).
The award is industries internationally recognised IFEAT Professional Postgraduate Diploma.
The award is based on successful completion of all taught models and submission of dissertation for approval of the IFEAT-appointed external examiner.
Disclaimer
maY 2010: All information is given in good faith but is subject to change.
Students following the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades Aroma Trades Studies (Perfumery) programme at the International Centre for Aroma Trades Studies are automatically enrolled as Student Members of the British Society of Perfumers. Formal election is ratified by the Council of the British Society of Perfumers so confirmation of student membership may take a couple of months.