Careers in the Australian meat industry

When people think of the meat industry, most people think of butchers. What people don’t know is that the Australian meat industry employs around 73,000 people, with career pathways leading all the way to the top. Brett Scoble is a prime example.

Brett is the Plant Manager at HW Greenham & Sons Pty Ltd, Tongala, Victoria.

Tell us about your journey to managing one of the largest meat export companies in Victoria…

I started in the boning room as an 18-year-old with no knife skills whatsoever. After learning all of the positions, I was fortunate enough to become a Leading Hand and then Boning Room Supervisor.

I was offered the opportunity to begin my formal training journey, completing a diploma, and was able to apply my learning to my area and team. The positive results encouraged me to take the next step to a Shift Manager before moving to my current position as Plant Manager.

What are some of your major achievements?

After completing basic industry training, I have gone on to complete a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Meat Processing and am currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness. None of this would have been possible without the assistance of MINTRAC and my employer. I truly believe that this training, and the friendships I have made through it, has been one of the biggest influences in my progression through the business.

Did you always want a career in the meat industry?

At school I wanted to be a butcher until the local butcher in town talked me out of it!

Upon leaving school, I worked on a local dairy farm before taking a position at Greenhams. I was planning to make some decent money then see what else was around… 22 years later I’m still here!

What career opportunities are available?

The Australian meat industry employs around 73,000 people — in abattoirs, wholesalers and retail butchers. Some of the jobs include quality assurance management, environmental management, livestock officers, traditional trade roles, engineering, maintenance, meat inspectors and meat scientists.

I am a perfect example of how career pathways can lead all the way to the top. Some of our best managers started as labourers.

What are your future career ambitions?

I’m very happy with where my career has taken me and look forward to repaying the faith that Greenhams has placed in me by ensuring the Tongala plant continues to be successful. Maybe one day I will look to combine my experiences from work and training to assist in developing future young meat industry workers.

Outside of work, what is a dream that you would like to achieve?

Apart from owning a really really good racehorse, I would like to travel and see more of Australia and the world.

What career advice do you have for young kids?

Firstly, find something that you love to do. Don’t look at it as just ‘a job’, but rather a career. Take every opportunity you can to develop yourself, whether it is through formal training or just taking the time to talk with someone about why or how something works.

For more information about careers in the meat industry, contact MINTRAC at mintrac@mintrac.com.au or visit www.mintrac.com.au.