TO help address a skills shortage in the butchery and meat processing industry, the state government has funded 30 new apprenticeships through its 'Skilling South Australia' initiative.
More than $135,000 will be provided in training and mentoring support to increase the number of skilled workers entering the meat industry.
"Participants will undertake an eight-week apprenticeship-ready project, followed by a two-week work placement - 30 participants will be directly matched to employers and receive ongoing support through their training contract," Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni said.
"This large intake of apprentices will help address the current skills shortage for the butchery and meat processing industry, which is a key part of our growing agriculture and food sectors.
"The project will expose apprentices to high-level butchery training and skill development at some of the best retail butchers in Adelaide and regional areas, including Mount Gambier, Whyalla and the Adelaide Hills.
"We want to ensure we're growing the local talent pool and developing the next generation of highly skilled butchers who can embrace their craft and celebrate the fresh, local produce available in our state."
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Apprentice Butchers SA chairman Luke Moody said the Skilling SA butchery project would help develop the next crop of retail butchers that will push the industry forward.
"This project is the right toe-dip teaser into butchery, enabling people to get a feel about what it really means to be a retail butcher of today," he said.
"The fact is many young people wouldn't even consider butchery as an option in the food industry, but butchery really holds the key in the food value chain.
"Anybody passionate about their food would benefit from the in-depth and technical knowledge as well as the knife skills a butcher is equipped with. I'm really looking forward to being part of this exciting project."
Skilling SA is a partnership with the federal government to deliver the skills required by industry and ensure South Australians are ready to step into jobs and enjoy rewarding careers in the future.
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