Australia’s red meat and livestock industry turnover was $75.45 billion in the 2021-2022 financial year, or around 1.7% of Australia’s total key industry turnover. New South Wales accounted for 28% of this, ahead of any other state or territory. These most recent figures reported a 7.7% increase inturnover on the prior financial year and the industry directly employing over 433,000 people.* However, many more are needed.

To help meet this increased labour need, TAFE NSW is partnering with The Casino Food Co-op to deliver an employee training program, which commenced in May. The program sees Co-op employees complete an on-site Certificate II in Meat Processing (Abattoirs), to gain practical skills and training to work in the livestock industry.

In Casino, more than 10% of employed people aged 15 years and over work in the meat industry, compared to only 0.2% in New South Wales and 0.3% nationally. **

Simon Stahl CEO of The Casino Food Co-op, Australia’s largest meat processing co-operative, said there is a strong need for skilled workers in the meat processing industry.

“There is a demand to meet the needs of industry and community by training the workforce of the future. The TAFE NSW training is instrumental in ensuring our employees’ job readiness for working effectively in the industry, which in turn supports economic prosperity for the Northern Rivers region,” he said.

Mr Stahl commented that the on-going training and development keeps Co-op employees abreast of the latest industry and technology trends.

“Technology in the meat and livestock industry is rapidly changing,” he said. “The comprehensive TAFE NSW course delivers our staff best-practice instruction and equips them with practical skills for a successful career in the emerging agribusiness sector. The training is delivered on site; employees learn on the job.”

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Meat Trades - Agribusiness Wayne McGee commented that the Certificate II in Meat Processing (Abattoirs) offers a wide spectrum of career opportunities - from traditional roles to more diverse career pathways.

“The meat industry has extensive career pathways including food safety, Work Health and Safety, quality control, livestock and administration, and food production and processing roles,” explains Mr McGee. “Trainees learn to maintain equipment, adopt hygienic and safe work practices, gain an overview of the meat industry, and apply quality assurance procedures.”

The Casino Food Co-op is establishing itself as an industry leader in meat process at its world-class processing facilities and is also one of the largest employers in the Casino shire.

* Meat and Livestock Australia’s 2023 State of the Industry report, 18 October 2023

**Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021.

Media contact: Karen Farrell, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, karen.farrell17@tafensw.edu.au,  0425 275 611.