Michelle Hanrahan is part of a burgeoning brigade of women hopping into a career in brewing with the help of TAFE NSW.

Sometimes referred to as ‘the modern gold rush’, the craft beer scene has exploded over the last seven years with approximately one brewery opening per week in 2019.

Strong demand has allowed the industry to expand with craft beer producers now operating in every state and territory. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 8.4% over the five years through 2019-20, to $604.8 million.[1]

Michelle was inspired to take up the tools when after working in corporate roles in the beer industry, she was driven to be more hands-on and delve into the science of what makes the perfect beer. After researching how she could make the transition, she discovered the Certificate III in Food Processing (microbrewing) at TAFE NSW.

Michelle said, “I had already been working in the beer industry when brewing piqued my interest. When I started researching brewing courses, I heard so many great things about the TAFE NSW teachers and the hands-on experience with different craft breweries built into the course.”

The one year, part-time Certificate III in Food Processing (Micro Brewing) is delivered at TAFE NSW Ultimo in the evening and is aimed at people who wish to follow their passion for beer brewing, and move into a production role within the industry. The course is taught by a team of specialists including Richard Adamson (Young Henrys) and Dan McCulloch (Lallemand Brewing) who are recognised as some of the best brewers in the business.

“Upon completing the course, I am now a qualified brewer which has helped me gain positions in the industry and the skills to work across all aspects of the job. Brewing is a highly fulfilling career and qualified brewers are in short supply which has made this all the more rewarding.

“Studying at TAFE NSW meant I was able to learn the most up-to-date, industry-relevant brewing techniques from experts in the industry, and now I am living the dream. I couldn’t have hoped for a better result,” Michelle said.

Students can enrol now for the 2020 Certificate III in Food Processing (Micro Brewing) intake at TAFE NSW. To find out more about the course visit tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

Media contact: Alice Dalley, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business partner, alice.dalley1@tafensw.edu.au, mobile 0402 528 210.