Current Projects
Petrina Wetzel, Skilled Group National Manager - Training Services, and Casey van Berkel, VFITB Project Consultant discuss the food operators project.
Upskilling Food Operators 2010-2011
The VFITB conducted a project in 2010 on the training of food processing operators throughout the food processing industry.
Click here to download the VFITB Food Operators Report 2010 [PDF: 889KB].
This food industry project grew from the work in 2009 on maintenance personnel in food processing plants, and how to better customise their training plans to suit the skills required in that sector. See 'past projects' for the earlier project report and recommendations.
Upskilling Food Operators Project Aims:
- Analyse changes and trends in skill requirements for Food Operators in Food Processing industries
- Identify and propose training options and solutions to meet current and future industry needs
- Increase food operators skill levels and involvement in the formal training system
- Increase the dialogue between the food processing industry and the training sector re training needs and opportunities
Over 65 Victorian companies, industry organisations, training providers and unions were involved in the consultations. Key findings included that quality assurance standards and food safety handling were major drivers of training. Many companies were found to use traineeships to support food operator training for Certificates II and III in food processing.
The VFITB will assist companies to pursue accredited training opportunities by informing them of the training package opportunities in the FDF10 package, and new funding opportunities. A new network of training managers will also be convened to help keep industry professionals abreast of developments and sharing 'good practice' ideas.
Casey van Berkel was the project consultant for this project and the project steering committee comprised:
- Ian Nicolson (Chair) - Victorian Food Industry Training Board;
- Linda Baron - Victorian Food Industry Training Board - Project Manager;
- Jan Shellew - H J Heinz, Echuca;
- Scott McKenzie - Patties Foods;
- Michael Hedley - Simplot Australia;
- Alan Maguire - Australian Industry Group;
- Doug Stevens - National Union of Workers;
- Alex Bernhardt - Manufacturing & Engineering Skills Advisory Board;
- Lee Carter - Skills Victoria;
- Trevor Lange - Chisholm Institute of TAFE - Curriculum Maintenance Manager, General Manufacturing;
The VFITB is happy to discuss the report with any companies and can be contacted on: (03) 9621 3349 or info@vfitb.com.au
Graduate Diploma of Food Industry Management
Nicole Lam, Training Coordinator; Lutz Schmidt, Labour Analyst, Nestle Snackfoods and Confectionery; and David Trembath, VFITB Curriculum Writer
VFITB developed two new qualifications for the food industry, at the industry's request.
- The Vocational Graduate Certificate in Food Industry Management
- The Vocational Graduate Diploma of Food Industry Management
These programs filled a gap in the formal education and training system for post graduate qualifications to suit the specialist knowledge and needs of the food processing sector. They are aimed at developing middle managers who may be team leaders, supervisors, project managers, general managers and technical experts. Both programs are now accredited with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.
The first cohort of students in the Vocational Graduate Certificate has been studying at the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia - Gilbert Chandler Centre and is due to complete the program in May 2011. Both programs will suit a wide range of students including those with extensive work experience in industry, and those who have completed a range of university studies in say sciences, engineering and related disciplines. The programs are designed to be completed through a series of real projects in the workplace and therefore the support and involvement of supervisors in the workplace is recommended. Two core units in the Certificate are:
- Apply professional level of food industry knowledge
- Lead innovative thinking and practice
Along with the new Diploma program, a ‘general foods’ unit was devised in 2010 to complement the existing ‘dairy’ and ‘confectionery’ specialist units in the Voc Grad Certificate. Additional electives were also indentified for inclusion in the Certificate program and these changes are currently being formalised.
Currently only the NCDEA, through Goulburn Ovens TAFE, delivers this program but in time other providers may come on stream.
The Vocational Graduate Diploma builds on the Certificate to enhance opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and explore electives of direct relevance to current and future job roles.
The 2010 project steering committee members included representatives from:
- Murray Goulburn Co-operative Company Pty Ltd
- Nestle
- Dairy Australia
- Patties Foods
- Ai Group - Confectionery sector
- NCDEA, Gilbert Chandler campus
- Biosciences RMIT University
View the course documents:
Both programs can be accessed via the Training Support Network website.
The course code for the Graduate Certificate is: 22035VIC
The course code for the Graduate Diploma is: 22108VIC
The courses were developed with support from the state government under the oversight of the Curriculum Maintenance Manager for General Manufacturing, Trevor Lange.
In Victoria, the Training Guarantee policy of the state government is to subsidise 65% of the course fees for an eligible student in the VET (Vocational Education and Training) sector. It is likely that most students interested in this program will be eligible, that is, that their previous studies were not at a higher level than an undergraduate bachelor degree, or diploma program in the VET sector. Other eligibility criteria exists, contact the relevant training provider for further information.
- Current Projects
- Past Projects