Informing Queensland’s training and skills priorities for the food and beverage processing industry

The Food and Beverage Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group plays a pivotal role in shaping the workforce responsible for maintaining the high-quality standards of food and beverage products in Queensland.

This group brings together subject matter experts, peak bodies, unions, leaders and managers from industry to provide proactive and high-quality advice and insights on current challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry. The group helps inform and align Queensland’s training and skills priorities, and guides the design of training programs, workforce solutions and government investment settings.

Join the conversation

About the group

Queensland’s food and beverage processing industry, comprising approximately 32,506 individuals (19.6% of the national total), and contributes significantly to the Australian economy, making it crucial to ensure that training reflects current industry and training delivery needs. Most recent data show Food and Beverage training packages receive an average of 1,655 commencing students each year, and an average of 1,020 students completing qualifications.

The group is a by invitation-only expert community that connects respected stakeholders with a presence in Queensland. The Food & Beverage Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group informs MSQ’s major workforce investment and Annual Training Plan, and our Industry Skills Advisory Program of work. Through its activities, the group aims to optimise the training system to industry needs and build and retain a skilled workforce within the food and beverage processing industry in Queensland, Australia.

What we discuss

By bringing together experts in food and beverage processing we can collectively achieve more, driving the sustainability and transformation of the broader manufacturing industry. A future-proofed manufacturing industry is at the heart of our discussion. The Industry Reference Group meets to:

  • Review the effectiveness and suitability of the Queensland Government’s annual investment in Vocational Education and Training (VET) to support skilling, jobs growth, and employment opportunities.
  • Identify evidence of unmet demands, current and emerging trends, and discuss innovative solutions.
  • Inform and contribute to the national VET reform agenda, including the development of training package products.
  • Advocate for quality in training as the stewards of industry.
  • Inform the ongoing program of work for Manufacturing Skills Queensland and our role as part of the Industry Skills Advisory program.

Informing national standards and qualifications

Training packages are a key feature of Australia’s national VET system. The Industry Reference Group supports Manufacturing Skills Queensland provide advice about training and skills opportunities and challenges in relevant training packages.

The work of the Industry Reference Group focuses on the following training packages:

  • FBP – Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical

This package covers food and beverage processing qualifications from entry level (certificate II) to graduate diploma in the production of food, cakes, pastries and other baked goods, alcoholic beverages, artisan products and more.

Our members

The Industry Reference Group consists of experts and leaders from employers, employer bodies, and unions, to support a skilled and future-proofed workforce.

Paul Baxter

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union

Tony Smith

Baking Association of Australian

Debbie Hutchinson

Buderim Ginger

Ray Hall

Dr Oetker Queen Australia

Lea Reid

Earlee Products

Lara Wilde

FNQ Food Incubator

Jana Cameron

Food Industry Association of Queensland

Sabrina Kunz

Independent Brewers Association

Michael Palmer

Kerry ANZ

Ian Martin

Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance

Allison McGruddy

My Berries

Dean Musgrave

National Baking Industry Association

David Ridden

Queensland Distilling Association / Granddad Jacks Distillery

Tim Lamb

Rainspark (Mt Elliot Spring and Burdekin Rum)

Mike Tristram

Trisco Foods

Becoming a member

Becoming a member of the Food and Beverage Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group involves active participation from employers, unions, and peak bodies in the industry. Representatives from these entities contribute to the group’s initiatives by providing valuable insights, sharing industry-specific strategies, and collaborating on workforce development solutions to meet the evolving needs of the food and beverage industry. If you’re interested in becoming a member, contact us.

Join today

Guests and representatives

The Food and Beverage Skills and Training Industry Reference Group extends special invitations to guests and representatives to present to the group. These invited guests often include industry experts, government officials, and representatives from educational and training institutions. Presentations cover a wide range of topics, including the latest industry trends, technological advancements, regulatory updates, and innovative workforce solutions. Connect with us to get involved.

Contact us

Upcoming meetings

The Industry Reference Group meets at least four times each year. The group may meet in addition to this and by exception where necessary. Meetings are held virtually to enable attendance from across Queensland.

2024 meeting dates:
  • 21 February
  • 14 May
  • 21 August
  • 6 November

Project outcomes

The Industry Reference Group has supported the development of a number of current projects.

Underway
Craft Distilling Pilot Project

Working with TAFE Queensland and industry in providing a fully funded traineeship pilot to address the identified lack of educational pathway for the industry.

Learn more
Underway
Food Industry Mentoring Program

The IRG, working with industry, identified the need to retain skilled employees in the Queensland Food Industry. This Mentoring Program project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government through its VET Emerging Industries initiative. Food Industries Association of Queensland (FIAQ) has embarked on the development of a Mentoring Program. This program is designed to facilitate the development of the younger generation of food industry employees by linking them with experienced industry professionals who will impart their insights, knowledge and real-life practical lived experiences, collected over many years in the food industry.

Learn more
Underway
Retention of Food Processing Workforce

The project objective is to deliver an accredited part qualification made of up of units of competency from the Certificate IV in Food Processing (FDF40110). Two clusters of units have been identified and developed to meet an industry identified skills gap—a “Leadership Skill Set” and a “Food Safety Skill Set”. To register visit Food Industries Association of Queensland. Learn more [https://foodindustries.com.au/skill-sets/]

Learn more
Become a group member, join us as a guest, or attend an event

If you want to join this group, attend as a guest, or register to attend our engagement event series, please fill out the form to submit your interest.

Express your interest

About the program

The General Manufacturing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group is coordinated by Manufacturing Skills Queensland through the Industry Skills Advisory program.

The Industry Skills Advisory program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, designed to support employer, small business and industry connect and engage with the training sector, government programs and investment.

The Industry Skills Advisory program is funded by the Queensland Government as part of Skills for Queensland – Great training for quality jobs.

QLD Queensland