The industry is suffering an ongoing shortage of recruits who are young, able and qualified in meat inspection and quality assurance.

This project has explored the prospect of attracting university graduates to consider a career in the red meat processing sector. Many students have little knowledge of the career opportunities available and this model offers them insights into the sector and an opportunity to enter it ‘work-ready’.

A model of training was developed and trialed whereby animal and agricultural science university students received training in meat inspection and quality assurance while still completing their undergraduate studies.