Six students carve out a fresh future in WA's Meat Industry

A new generation of young Western Australians is getting a hands-on taste of the meat industry, with six students from Perth metropolitan schools now well into their second term of the AMP20117 Certificate II in Meat Processing (Food Services) through South Metropolitan TAFE.

The VET in Schools program gives students the chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification while completing high school, combining classroom learning with practical training in a real and simulated meat industry environment. The qualification introduces students to food handling, butchery, meat retail, hygiene, knife skills, workplace communication and customer service.

It is an especially positive outcome given the program was close to being withdrawn before TAFE South Metropolitan enrolled its first cohort. Thanks to the efforts of school VET Coordinators promoting meat industry careers, and collaboration between South Metropolitan TAFE, the Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council (WA) Inc. and the Australian Meat Industry Council, six students from various metropolitan schools began the course at the start of the school year.

FFTITC CEO Tony Palladino recently visited the students with Meat Lecturer Rocco Vallelonga to hear about their experiences. The feedback was full of enthusiasm. Students said they were unsure what to expect at first, but had been surprised by how much they enjoyed the program. They spoke about supportive parents, new friendships, and the excitement of learning practical skills that could lead to many career pathways.

The students are already completing core and practical units, including safe work procedures, hygiene and sanitation, maintaining personal equipment, sharpening knives, storing meat products, workplace communication, customer service, trimming meat and packaging products.

Rocco said the students had been “amazing” and had relished the opportunity to come to TAFE each week. “They are so eager to learn,” he said. “They gain knowledge about meat quality and cuts, develop valuable hand skills, and enjoy cooking the meat they have worked with to understand flavour, aroma and quality.”

With WA facing serious labour and skills shortages, the students also learnt about the many opportunities available, from apprenticeships to potentially running their own butcher shops. A couple have already been offered apprenticeships.

This first cohort may well become the catalyst for more young people to explore the diverse and rewarding pathways available in the meat industry.

Growing Skills for Industry

fftitc.com.au  | 08 9361 2800 | admin@fftitc.com.au