The South Australian Government has partnered with the Independent Brewers Association (IBA) to create traineeship opportunities and upskill workers in the state’s growing craft beer industry.
The partnership is part of the State Government’s Skilling South Australia program, which has so far seen 700 businesses in the state take on an apprentice for the first time as well as over 13,000 new apprenticeship and traineeship commencements in the first year of the program.
Speaking at Prancing Pony Brewery, the SA Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said: “Our Skilling South Australia initiative is delivering great results for our state, providing jobs and opportunities for South Australians and meeting the needs of industry.
“Each Skilling South Australia project represents a collaboration with industry to build skills deemed vital to the growth of the business and sector.
“There are now more than 100 of these collaborative projects, worth more than $20m, creating apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities across the state.”
$45,000 of this funding will support the Pilot Traineeship Program for Craft Brewing, where 12 brewery workers will upskill through a Certificate III in Food Processing – Brewing with TAFE SA.
Pisoni added: “Driven by the Independent Brewers Association, this is Australia’s first traineeship in brewing and will support existing workers to advance their careers through practical on-the-job training and mentoring support.
“Employers involved in the project include Barossa Valley Brewing, Beer Garden Brewing – Port Lincoln, Big Shed Brewing Concern, Prancing Pony Brewery and Sparkke.”
IBA Director Richard Adamson said the traineeship project was established to increase the skills, capability and capacity of independent breweries, supporting their business success.
“As breweries grow, so do their manufacturing needs along with the need for an adaptive workforce,” Adamson said.
“Our industry’s continued success relies on growing the skills of new and existing staff.
“If the proposed pilot program is a success, the IBA is looking to roll out Certificate III training across the state, encouraging all breweries to take on trainees.”
Co-Founder of Big Shed Brewing Concern Craig Basford said his business is implementing the traineeship model to support an enthusiastic employee to fill a knowledge gap and advance her career in the industry.
“As the industry grows, develops and becomes more competitive, the demand for skilled people will only increase,” Basford said.
“Having people with qualifications coming into our industry helps us create a better, more consistent product.
“This is better for the consumer and, by extension, the industry as a whole.”