The Food and Beverage Processing Program has established strong links with industry and formed many mutually beneficial industry partnerships. This has assisted lecturing staff in maintaining their knowledge and skills through exposure to current industry practices and emerging technologies and processes. Students benefit from an increased awareness of up-to-the-minute technology and trends, which is further enhanced by access to food processing facilities not normally open to the public. This valuable industry exposure enhances their employment and career opportunities once they have completed their formal training.
Food processing companies and allied industries contribute to the Program by hosting factory tours, proposing and sponsoring research projects, sponsoring employees in Diploma studies, sponsoring short courses in specialist topics, supplying foods and food additives, and providing students with updates regarding suitable job vacancies.
The Food and Beverage Processing Program currently maintains close working relationships with the following industry partners:
- South Australian Food Centre
- Primary Industry Training Advisory Council (PITAC)
- Primary Industry Research South Australia (PIRSA)
- South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
- Flavour SA
- Food Hospitality Tourism Skills Council
- Food manufacturers
- Ingredient manufacturers
- Ingredient distributors
- Equipment manufacturers and distributors
- Scientific equipment and chemical suppliers
These significant industry partnerships support the quality and relevance of the Program’s training and ensures that it keeps up to date with international best practice. It also enables the exchange of learning resources, staff, new ideas and products between partners, and the development of new markets and opportunities for Food and Beverage Processing’s learning resources and programs.
The Program’s industry partners benefit from the supply of well-trained graduates without the need to use an employment agency. Industry has the opportunity to influence the course content in areas that are relevant. Students who undertake a ‘company–sponsored research project’ become well-known to the company and can be offered employment by the sponsor. Students are able to witness food processing operations first hand and therefore make informed choices about the areas of processing where they will seek employment.
