New fund to boost skills for SA's food processing workers

Financial assistance is available to help South Australia's food processing workers boost their skills following the launch of a fund designed to promote career opportunities within the food and beverage industry.

The Food and Beverage Development Fund SA will provide funding support for food and beverage workers to pursue their career aspirations. Successful applicants will receive financial support from the fund to assist with professional development opportunities including education, training and research.

Applications for funding support are currently open and will close at the end of August.

More than 136,000 South Australians are employed in the State's food and beverage industry, which includes meat, baking, beverage (including wine) and food processing businesses.

Chairperson of the Food and Beverage Development Fund SA, Ian Curry, said the fund was an initiative of a number of key industry figures.

"The Food and Beverage Development Fund SA Inc has been established to promote food and beverage as the career of choice for more South Australians," Curry said.

"The Fund seeks to reassure food and beverage workers that their contribution to the industry is valued. Employees, apprentices, trainees and students are invited to apply for financial support, which is tailored to the needs of the individual.

"The Food and Beverage Development Fund SA is intended to help support the local industry in its quest to survive and grow. We want to do that by helping individual workers realise their full potential."

For further information, visit www.foodandbeveragefundsa.com.au.