Landmark training partnership signed between Melbourne Market and Melbourne Polytechnic
12 May 2016
Melbourne Polytechnic has signed a landmark partnership with the Melbourne Market Authority that makes the organisation the preferred training provider for the iconic fruit, vegetable and flower market at Epping.
According to Robert Wood, CEO of Melbourne Polytechnic, “The deal acknowledges the important role that education and training plays in enabling businesses at the Melbourne Market to grow their market share, build export capability, and support their growth and profitability.”
The training services provided by Melbourne Polytechnic onsite at the Market will extend to both new entrants to the market, as well as established businesses.
“This agreement is a perfect fitto our industry and STEM focusededucation and training institute. Our wide range of programming which includes food and fibre as well as business will significantly contribute to the Market partners,” said Mr Wood.
It also gives the Melbourne Market Authority and the broader agribusiness industry the opportunity to engage young people with the industry and raise its profile as an exciting source of diverse career pathways.
Several youth engagement programs that focus on agribusiness currently exist across regional Australia but none are focussed on the wholesale distribution component of Victoria’s wholesale fruit, vegetable and cut flower supply chain.
The training offered will include forklift and materials handling, warehousing, occupational health and safety, food and produce handling, logistics, brand and visual merchandising, customer services, small business management and supply chain management.
“The Melbourne Market is committed to continuous improvement, providing learning opportunities and growth to the industry as well as encouraging the next generation to consider the fresh produce industry as a future career. We’re pleased to announce our partnership with Melbourne Polytechnic and look forward to rolling out a suite of training programs to the Market community,” said Mark Maskiell, CEO of the Melbourne Market Authority.