AFDO presents
Inspector Boot Camps
Whether you are starting your inspector career or have more experience, AFDO’s unique Inspector Boot Camp program has something for you.
AFDO hosts a free virtual Inspector Boot Camp for both new and advanced inspectors every year as a lifelong learning opportunity. Learn more about Inspector Boot Camp or Advanced Inspector Boot Camp to explore topics that will support your success – report writing, conflict de-escalation, preventive controls, food safety plans, food safety culture, foodborne illness, and more.
Inspector Boot Camp
Takes place every January
2025 training dates announced!
View now
Who should attend
Retail and Manufactured food inspectors with less than two years on-the-job experience.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Sessions cover both power skills and technical skills, using interactive strategies with participants. Technical skills are split into days of training specifically for retail-level inspectors (restaurants, grocery stores, etc.) and a separate day for manufactured-level inspectors (food processing facilities). The goal of this training is to provide state and local regulators access to valuable training early in their food safety careers in order to build knowledge and experience.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Earn CEU credits during live discussions about these topics:
De-escalating conflict
Diversity
Pest control systems
Risk-based approaches to inspections
Preventive controls for human foods inspections
Documentation skills within inspection writing
Interviewing techniques and report writing
Boot camp consists of 3 sessions, each requiring individual registration
January 8, 2025
Power Skills/General Topics
4-hour session
Coming Soon!
View last year’s Power Skills/General Topics Training from January 10, 2024
January 15, 2025
MANUFACTURED FOOD TRACK
4-hour session
Coming Soon!
View last year’s Manufactured Food Training from January 17, 2024
January 22, 2025
RETAIL FOOD Track
4-hour session
Coming Soon!
WHO BENEFITED FROM BOOT CAMP IN 2023
1,854
Participants
53%
Local Regulators
47%
State Regulators
Advanced Inspector Boot Camp
Takes place every January
2025 training dates announced!
View now
Who should attend
Manufactured and Retail food inspectors with more than two years of experience.
WHAT TO EXPECT
During Advanced Boot Camp, inspectors will hear live discussions on several topics. This virtual training expands on information for inspectors with experience, with interactive strategies to engage participants.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Earn CEU credits during live discussions:
Understand how to identify special processes and review food safety plans.
Recognize and shape Food Safety Culture.
Identify what makes a foodborne illness investigation different from routine work.
Feel empowered to be a lifelong learner and understand the benefits of this mindset.
ADVANCED BOOTCAMP CONSISTS OF 3 SESSIONS, EACH REQUIRING INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION
January 9, 2025
RETAIL AND MANUFACTURED FOOD INSPECTORS ADVANCED
4-hour session
Coming Soon!
View last year’s Retail and Manufactured Food Inspectors Training from Feb. 14, 2024
January 16, 2025
RETAIL AND MANUFACTURED FOOD INSPECTORS ADVANCED
4-hour session
Coming Soon!
View last year’s Retail and Manufactured Food Inspectors Training from Feb. 21, 2024
January 23, 2025
ADDITIONAL TIMELY TOPIC PRESENTATIONS (DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR)
4-hour session
Coming Soon!
View last year’s additional timely topic presentation from Feb. 22, 2024
WHO BENEFITED FROM BOOT CAMP IN 2023
1,452
Participants
37%
Local Regulators
62%
State Regulators
7%
Territory Regulators