Cheese industry seeks a bigger slice of the action

The South Australian cheese industry has its sights firmly set on the international stage.

The State’s cheese industry is positioning itself for a bigger slice of the international action with a new program aimed at establishing South Australia as the leading cheese skills centre in the nation.

The Cheese Industry Skills Fast Track Project seeks to boost the sector by providing extra skilled staff and innovative technical support.Backed by the cheese industry and Government of South Australia - through the South Australian Food Centre, DFEEST and the Food, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Skills Advisory Council SA (FTH Skills Council) - the program will help cheesemakers who are struggling to find sufficient numbers of skilled staff.

The Government of South Australia is providing almost $300,000 towards the 18-month project and industry is providing almost $330,000.Agriculture, Food & Fisheries Minister, Paul Caica, said the program was designed to build the dynamic SA cheese industry and help provide structure to support long-term industry growth.

"Cheese is the highest value added product of the South Australian dairy industry, however many cheesemakers cannot currently keep up with demand, and are unable to source adequately skilled workers. The program has been specifically designed to assist in filling these gaps."

The Cheese Industry Skills Fast Track Program includes:

• Intensive up-skilling of 30 existing cheesemakers
• Professional development of 50-100 other cheese industry employees
• Entry level training for 30 potential industry recruits through a schools articulation project
• Engagement of consumers with industry, providing exposure to cheese as a potential career through CheeseFest activities
• The opportunity to offer up-skilling of 6 FTE (full time equivalents) food technology graduates from Adelaide University/Regency TAFE SA
• Provision of workshops to approximately 50 assistant cheesemakers, food    technologists, University &    TAFE SA staff and students.
• Identification of critical skills for Master, Skilled and Foundation level Cheesemakers to improve career pathways

A key aim of the program is also to establish a ‘Cheesemakers in Residence’ program, which could attract fee-paying students from interstate and overseas

"[The program] demonstrates that the Government recognises the value of this fabulous high quality, regional based and growing food industry here in SA, and supports the South Australian Food Plan," Kris Lloyd, Chair of Cheese SA and Director of CheeseFest said.

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