Western Australia’s food and beverage sector is tapping into new technical talent through a CSIRO– and state-backed internship scheme that pairs tertiary STEM students with industry for paid placements.
Delivered by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the WA Food Industry Education Collaboration (WAFEC) Program links students with businesses across manufacturing, production, processing and technology for 200-hour paid internships statewide.
“The administrative burden is minimal – we handle recruitment, screening and present businesses with a shortlist of suitable candidates,” Ms Crompton said. “Businesses can focus on getting value from their intern, rather than burdensome paperwork.”
Bayswater-based manufacturer Gourmania is among those to have taken part, hosting a food technology intern who worked on product development processes. The company went on to employ the intern after the placement concluded.
“The program was a low-risk way to test whether we needed this type of role and the value in having a food technologist in the business,” Mr Jones said.
DPIRD’s Food Industry Innovation Manager, Kim Antonio, said the initiative addresses a persistent skills gap as firms struggle to attract highly skilled STEM students, while students find it hard to access opportunities in the sector. “The program connects this talent with meaningful work experience that helps build the skilled workforce Western Australia needs,” Mr Antonio said.
The WAFEC Program is open to businesses across the state’s food and beverage supply chain, from primary producers to manufacturers and technology suppliers.
