Meat-Tech at Toowoomba sets a new benchmark

The program, delivered by IntegratedSTEM and AMPC, brought together 54 students, 12 teachers and 30 industry representatives - making it the largest Meat-Tech Futures events to date. 

Students participated in hands-on workshops, explored emerging technologies and innovation within processing, and worked collaboratively to solve real industry challenges.

To date, seven Meat-Tech Futures events have been delivered nationally, introducing hundreds of students and educators to career pathways across the red meat processing sector.

A key program feature was the student Pitch Night, where students presented solutions to real-world industry challenges to an audience of more than 120 attendees. 

Students also toured the Kilcoy Global Foods Coominya value-adding facility, gaining insight into operations and the breadth of opportunities available. Representatives across a multitude of business areas, ranging from plant manager, projects manager, human resources and safety and training, were on hand to give students incredible insights.

AMPC Project Officer People and Culture Holly Speers said the Toowoomba event defied expectations.

"Programs like Meat-Tech Futures play an important role in helping young people better understand the industry and breadth of roles and career opportunities available," she said.

"Being able to give students the opportunity to walk through a facility and speak directly with people working across the business is one of the most valuable parts of the program. It is a great way to challenge their industry perceptions and open their eyes to the scale, technology and diversity within processing.

"To see other processors across the region such as JBS, Stanbroke, Oakey Beef Exports and John Dee coming and supporting the event was incredibly encouraging."

The next Meat-Tech event will be held in Brisbane on the 27th and 28th May.

Pictured at the event are AMPC's Koentadi Hadinoto, Cameron Ralph and Holly Speers.