The State’s first graduation ceremony for the Diploma of Meat Processing will be held at The University of Queensland’s Gatton campus tomorrow.
The innovative UQ program, which began in 2002, offers middle managers the opportunity to gain management qualifications and improve their leadership and management skills while working in the meat industry.
Educational Facilitator for Rangelands Australia at UQ Gatton Denise Hart said the 22 graduands had shown great dedication and the industry’s future was in good hands.
“The students handle millions of dollars worth of product every day and the course provides them with training to improve plant organisation and people management,” Ms Hart said.
Guest speaker at the 11am ceremony will be the Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science Professor Roger Swift.
Professor Swift will discuss the role of training and continuing education in the meat industry and the commitment of the University to provide this type of training at its Gatton Campus.
“My Faculty delivers a wide range of training programs that support most areas of primary production and associated industries. The graduates from this course will make a major contribution to enhancing the efficiency of the meat industry and ensuring its continuing commitment to quality and safety issues,” he said.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, November 7 at the Main Lecture Theatre in the Foundation Building off the Inner Ring Road.
Production Manager with the Australian Country Choice abattoir Andrew Ross (telephone 07 3399 8399) will deliver the valedictory address at the ceremony.
Mr Ross said the program had helped him set up systems at the abattoir that could produce positive outcomes.
“It taught me to understand the requirements of the industry and take the next step in terms of being a leader,” he said.
As a Production Manager Mr Ross is responsible for the supply of all the beef and veal to the Coles supermarkets located on the eastern seaboard.
Ms Hart said students attended residential placements in conjunction with work based assessment projects.
“Some of the projects undertaken by the participants have saved the plants many thousands of dollars through developing a knowledge of how to apply improved management techniques in the areas of food safety and quality assurance, occupational health and safety, environmental management and cold chain control,” she said.
The University’s School of Animal Studies ran the program in conjunction with UQ’s Vocational Training Unit and the National Meat Industry Training Advisory Council.
Media: For more information, contact Denise Hart (telephone 07 3365 0680, email dhart@uqg.uq.edu.au) or Chris Saxby at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2479, email c.saxby@uq.edu.au).
