Steady growth for the largest flour mill in the southern hemisphere has fuelled demand for a skilled and motivated employee base, one successfully provided through a long-term partnership with TAFE NSW – Western Institute.
During the past seven years, 335 employees at Manildra Flour Mills have enrolled in Certificate II in Food Processing, 220 the Certificate III in Food Processing, and 25 the Certificate III in Laboratory Skills. Five staff have enrolled in the Certificate III in Road Transport.
An on-site TAFE Training Partnership Manager (TPM) from Western Institute arranges and coordinates all training needs at the mill. Training is facilitated in a number of ways, including customised operations manuals, practical demonstrations, and the use of supervisors or experienced operators as mentors.
John Chilcott, Manager, Human Resources and Safety, Manildra Flour Mills, said the relationship with TAFE NSW enabled the mill to concentrate on its core business, the production of high grade flour and flour products, 'while ensuring that staff are highly trained and competent in their tasks'.
Manildra has reported benefits including improved workplace safety and employee satisfaction, increased productivity, reduced staff turnover and greater compliance with customer specifications. The partnership with TAFE NSW has also led to ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) accreditation.
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Need large workforces trained? |
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TAFE NSW provides on-site training consultants. |
Neil Milton, Teacher in Charge, Manufacturing at Western Institute is the TPM at Manildra. 'I’m on site for two days per week to identify training needs and source or develop specific training,' he said. An example of this was the development of the Grain Dust Explosion Awareness course which has been delivered to the entire workforce.
Mr Chilcott said the longevity of the partnership could be attributed to the ability of TAFE NSW personnel to respond to the company’s needs and provide training when and where required. 'The program will continue because of the credibility built up by TAFE NSW and its ability and willingness to deliver high quality training at a competitive cost,' he said.
Manildra Flour Mills is located 45 kilometres from Orange and is now the largest user of wheat for industrial purposes in Australia, processing some 1 million tonnes of wheat a year. A vital link in the local economy, the mill employs more than 2000 people. To keep the mill supplied with wheat the Manildra Flour Mills Group owns and operates its own trains. It also owns some of the farms on which the wheat is grown.
