Celebrating National Skills Week in the Food, Fibre and Timber Industries

51 minutes ago
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National Skills Week provided a valuable opportunity to highlight how vocational education and training is strengthening workforce capability, supporting business growth and creating life-changing career pathways across the food, fibre and timber industries.

The Life-Changing Impact of Skills

The week’s theme, “Life Changing,” reflected what we see across our industries every day: young people discovering meaningful careers, apprentices building pride and confidence, and businesses benefiting from skilled workers who are ready to contribute.

Across the week, we showcased practical examples of how training creates opportunity for individuals, employers and regional communities.

Building the Future Butchery Workforce

We opened the week by celebrating three young retail butchery apprentices, Danny, Andrew and Ben, who are training through South Metropolitan TAFE under Rocco’s guidance. Located in regional Western Australia, their stories demonstrated the confidence, purpose and career direction that apprenticeships can provide. Click below to download the document.

We also highlighted Olsen Butchers in South Perth, a long-standing supporter of apprenticeships and careers in butchery. As an employer of apprentices and a strong advocate for the trade, Olsen Butchers continues to help young people, including current apprentices Callum and Aaron, build practical skills and long-term career opportunities. Click below to download the document.

Creating New Pathways in Irrigation

We promoted the role of Irrigation Technician and its recognition in Western Australia as a skilled trade occupation with a new apprenticeship pathway. This is an important development for employers across horticulture and agriculture who need workers with the practical skills, technical knowledge and problem-solving capability to manage water resources effectively. Click below to download the document. Click below to download the document.

Supporting Skills Across Equine Industry

We highlighted the breadth of career opportunities across Western Australia’s equine industry, including horse care, breeding, farriery, trackwork, training and allied services. Vocational education and training play an important role in building the skills and confidence needed to support this diverse and economically significant sector. Click below to download the document.

Textiles: Skills That Move, Make & Connect

We also celebrated life-changing skills in the textiles industries, from the international success of Next Gen Sailmakers through to programs such as Pathways to Unity, which supports women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to develop new skills and confidence.

The week also provided an opportunity to promote care, repair and rewear initiatives, circular economy thinking, and TAFE programs that build capability in industrial sewing, upholstery, automotive trimming, apparel, fashion and textiles. Click below to download the document.

Keeping the Momentum Going

While National Skills Week runs for one week, its message continues throughout the year. Skills development changes lives, supports local businesses and helps communities prepare for the future.

By continuing to promote training, career pathways and practical opportunities, we can help more people see what is possible and take the next step with confidence. We are proud to have supported National Skills Week and to have celebrated the people, organisations and industries that make skills development so valuable.

Tony Palladino

CEO, Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council (FFTITC)

📧 tony@fftitc.com.au📞 0437 396 363

Growing Skills for Industry

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