skills acTion Plan for The food and Beverage secTor - Department of ...

Government already supports PhD integration into
companies by enhancing connections between tertiary
education/research organisations and businesses, in the
hope of increasing the flow of knowledge, technology and
ideas that have tangible benefits in the form of productivity
growth. For example the Technology for Industry
Fellowships programme of the Foundation of Research,
Science and Technology (FoRST) is designed to support
students studying at senior undergraduate level up to PhD
level qualifications, with the opportunity to apply their skill
and knowledge to a commercially-focused research and
technology development project. A PhD fellow is expected
to develop a substantial and original contribution to new
knowledge in the field of research, and to work within the
company premises for at least 50% of the time.
Other programmes are less direct in supporting the
integration of PhDs into business. However, the focus
of such programmes is often on assisting businesses to
build capability of, and access to, the benefits of research
and development. A stronger focus on research and
development capability within and between food and
beverage companies will help to make the sector more
attractive to PhD graduates (and those with higher level
qualifications) and consequently lead to more integration
of their skills into the work practices of the company.
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