Workforce Development for the Meat Industry: An Assessment of the South Australian Approach to Recruitment and Retention

Scope of the research:
A major concern within the meat industry is the recruitment and retention of skilled labour, an issue that coincides with the recognition of similar problems across all Australian industries.  The key issues that need to be addressed are:-

1. Lack of genuine career opportunities
2. Lack of promotion within the industry
3. Lack of training and apprenticeships
4. Perception of the industry and its jobs
5. A need for cultural change in workplaces and industry as a whole

In response to these issues, the AMIEU (SA), MLA, AMIC, SA Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology, and Food Tourism and Hospitality Skills Advisory Council SA Inc have established a pilot project identifying industry workforce trends and emerging skill needs, and an industry specific plan aimed at achieving cultural change and addressing the skills issues.  An independent assessment of this 18 month project will be carried out by a team of Monash academics using a qualitative research design incorporating action research

Researchers:
Dr Majorie Jerrard, Marjorie.Jerrard@Buseco.monash.edu.au
Dr Richard Cooney, Richard.Cooney@Buseco.monash.edu.au
Dr Ross Donohue, Ross.Donohue@Buseco.monash.edu.au
Nell Kimberley, Nell.Kimberley@Buseco.monash.edu.au