Informing Queensland’s training and skills priorities for the food and beverage processing industry

The Food & Beverage Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group (IRG) plays a pivotal role in shaping the workforce responsible for maintaining the high-quality standards of food and beverage products in Queensland.

This IRG brings together subject matter experts, peak bodies, unions, and leaders and managers from industry to provide proactive and high-quality advice and insights on current challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry. The work of the IRG helps inform and align Queensland’s training and skills priorities, and guides the design of training programs, workforce solutions and government investment settings.

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About the group

Food and Beverage workforce in Queensland comprises of approximately 31,300 individuals (17% of the national total), and contributes significantly to the Australian economy, making it crucial to ensure that training reflects current industry and training delivery needs. Most recent data shows the Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical (FBP) training package has 2,600 commencing students and 2,000 students completing qualifications, on average, each year.

The group is an expert community that connects respected stakeholders with a presence in Queensland. The Food & Beverage Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group informs MSQ’s major workforce investment and Annual Training Plan, and our Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Program of work. Through its activities, the group aims to optimise the training system to industry needs and build and retain a skilled workforce within the food and beverage processing industry in Queensland, Australia.

*Data is correct at 01/08/2025. Sources: ABS, Labour Force, detailed (Table EQ06) and NCVER, Total VET students and courses.

What we discuss

By bringing together experts in food and beverage processing we can collectively achieve more, driving the sustainability and transformation of the broader manufacturing industry. A future-proofed manufacturing industry is at the heart of our discussion. The Industry Reference Group meets to:

  • Review the effectiveness and suitability of the Queensland Government’s annual investment in vocational education and training to support skilling, jobs growth, and employment opportunities.
  • Identify evidence of unmet demands, current and emerging trends, and discuss innovative solutions.
  • Inform and contribute to the national vocational education and training reform agenda, including the development of training package products.
  • Advocate for quality in training as the stewards of industry.
  • Inform the ongoing program of work for Manufacturing Skills Queensland and our role as part of the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program.

Informing national standards and qualifications

Training packages are a key feature of Australia’s national vocational education and training (VET) system. The Industry Reference Group supports Manufacturing Skills Queensland provide advice about training and skills opportunities and challenges in relevant training packages.

The work of the IRG focuses on the following training package:

  • FBP – Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical

This package covers food and beverage processing qualifications from entry level (certificate II) to graduate diploma in the production of food, cakes, pastries and other baked goods, alcoholic beverages, artisan products and more.

Our members

The Industry Reference Group consists of experts and leaders from employers, employer bodies, and unions, to support a skilled and future-proofed workforce.

Paul Baxter

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union

Tony Smith

Baking Association of Australian

Debbie Hutchinson

Buderim Ginger

Ray Hall

Dr Oetker Queen Australia

Jana Cameron

Food Industry Association of Queensland

Annelies Nijskens

Independent Brewing Association / Madocke Beer Brewing Co.

Allison McGruddy

My Berries

Dean Musgrave

National Baking Industry Association

Steve Pannan

Queensland Distilling Association / Redlands Coast Distillery

Tim Lamb

Rainspark (Mt Elliot Spring and Burdekin Rum)

Mike Tristram

Trisco Foods

IRG Membership

What does an IRG Member do?

Members of the Food and Beverage Processing Industry Reference Group draw on their expertise to share valuable insights and provide advice to the Queensland government in relation to:

  • Skills and workforce policy and investment.
  • The suitability of national training packages, qualifications and units of competency.
  • Regional and sub-industry skills and workforce issues, needs and opportunities.
  • Technological advancements and requirements.

IRG members also provide advice to MSQ in relation to the scoping and implementation of of our Annual Training Plan and associated programs and contribute to the development of:

  • an action plan to guide ISJA and IRG activities; and
  • projects and strategies to address regional and state-wide skills and workforce issues to meet the evolving needs of the Food and Beverage Processing sub-industries.

How do I become an IRG Member?

What is the level of commitment for an IRG Member?

Food and Beverage Processing Industry Reference Group meetings are held quarterly via Teams for up to two hours. IRG members will also have the opportunity to attend a range of stakeholder events and forums throughout the year.

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Guests and representatives

The Food & Beverage Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group often extends invitations to guests including industry experts, government officials, and representatives from educational and training institutions. Guests will often deliver presentations covering a wide range of topics, including the latest industry trends, technological advancements, regulatory updates, and innovative workforce solutions.

MSQ welcomes proposals from relevant organisations to present to the IRG and please contact us if you would like to get involved.

Contact us

Upcoming meetings

The Industry Reference Group meets at least four times each year. The group may meet in addition to this and by exception where necessary. Meetings are held virtually to enable attendance from across Queensland.

2025 meeting dates
  • Wednesday 23 July
  • Wednesday 29 October

Project outcomes

The Industry Reference Group has supported the development of a number of current projects.

Underway
Craft Distilling Pilot Project

Working with TAFE Queensland and industry in providing a fully funded traineeship pilot to address the identified lack of educational pathway for the industry.

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Underway
Retention of Food Processing Workforce

The project objective is to deliver an accredited part qualification made of up of units of competency from the Certificate IV in Food Processing (FDF40110). Two clusters of units have been identified and developed to meet an industry identified skills gap—a “Leadership Skill Set” and a “Food Safety Skill Set”. To register visit Food Industries Association of Queensland.

Learn more
Completed
Food Industry Mentoring Program

The IRG, working with industry, identified the need to retain skilled employees in the Queensland Food Industry. This Mentoring Program project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government through its VET Emerging Industries initiative. Food Industries Association of Queensland (FIAQ) has embarked on the development of a Mentoring Program. This program is designed to facilitate the development of the younger generation of food industry employees by linking them with experienced industry professionals who will impart their insights, knowledge and real-life practical lived experiences, collected over many years in the food industry.

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Completed
Certificate III in High Volume Baking

Submitted an industry proposal to Queensland Government, resulting in the Certificate III in High Volume Baking being declared an apprenticeship.

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Become a group member or join us as a guest

If you want to join this group or attend as a guest, please fill out the form to submit your interest.

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Consent

About the program

The Food & Beverage Processing Skills and Training Industry Reference Group is coordinated by Manufacturing Skills Queensland through the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program.

The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, designed to support employer, small business and industry connect and engage with the training sector, government programs and investment.

The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

QLD Queensland