More than 200,000 workers contribute to the production of Australian food, beverages and pharmaceutical products. They are part of an innovative industry that is constantly adapting it’s processes and products to meet consumer preferences and needs. The skills of this industry are vital for producing high quality products that are safe to consume.
We are seeking your feedback on training package projects that have been proposed for 2021-22 and descriptions of changes in the industry environment as outlined in the draft Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (Skills Forecast).
This year’s Annual Update includes information about employers’ use of the national
FBP – Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Training Package and qualifications, barriers to hiring apprentices and trainees, and reasons behind non-completion rates. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities presented to the sector throughout the CODID-19 pandemic, including trade tensions, unprecedented demand for particular products, and increased investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Your feedback and input on the information outlined in this draft document is encouraged.
Feedback is being collected up until 23 April 2021.
The draft Annual Update will be submitted from the Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industry Reference Committee (IRC) and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) at the end of April, for their consideration.
View the Annual Update and provide feedback
Proposed Schedule of Work
2021-22
Project 1: Indigenous Food Skill Set
Indigenous food is a rapidly expanding sector in both local and global markets. Given that only a small proportion of native foods have received food safety certification so far, there is plenty of room for further growth. New job roles are emerging requiring specific skills for working in Indigenous communities and remote locations, harvesting and processing wild food, and exporting products according to strict regulations.
Project 2: Pharmaceutical GMP Unit Changes
Good manufacturing practice (GMP) systems are used by the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry to ensure that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. Three Pharmaceutical Manufacturing qualifications currently contain GMP units that industry recommends are reviewed and updated so that appropriate training in these critical practices can be accessed, as well as ensuring that each unit aligns with its designated Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level. In addition, business units within the Certificates III and IV in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing have been superseded and should be replaced with the current versions so that training delivery reflects current practices.
Project 3: Sugar Milling
Sugar milling qualifications are widely used in sugar mills to develop training and define skills requirements for various roles, but are not formally delivered or assessed by any RTO. Recently, various industry skills standards have changed because of technological advancements and the adoption of practices from other industries. This proposed project is to review current sugar milling qualifications and redesign training options to reflect the skills shared across industry job roles, and to encourage use of sugar milling units within the VET system.
Other projects to be identified to address industry priorities.