Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.
| 30 Sep 2026 | |
| General |
The final program is confirmed for MINTRAC Industry Connect -NSW Central Coast, bringing together industry, government, training providers and business representatives for a full day of practical discussion, industry input and connection on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub in Ourimbah.
The complimentary event will explore some of the workforce, skills, training and business issues currently affecting industry, with opportunities throughout the day to hear from experts, contribute to current industry work and connect directly with organisations providing support across NSW.
Two industry conversations to start the day
From 9:00 am, delegates can choose between two concurrent sessions.
Retail Butchery - Have Your Say will bring retail butchers together for a combination of practical business discussions and direct industry consultation.
The session will feature:
• Andy Howard - Astronaut | The Future of Retail Butchery
A look at the challenges and opportunities facing retail butchery and what businesses need to remain competitive and build capability for the future.
• Daniel Connolly - Cornelli | Small Business, Ownership & Succession
Practical insights into business ownership, succession and sale planning, including some of the considerations involved in preparing for future transitions.
• Sarah Savage - NSW Food Authority | Getting Food Safety Right
A practical look at common areas of non-compliance, what inspections are identifying and how businesses can strengthen their food safety practices.
• Rob Kay -TAFE NSW | Building a Stronger Butchery Business
Insights into operating and growing a successful butchery business, from business performance and operations to marketing and identifying new opportunities.
Retail butchers will also have an opportunity to contribute directly to the Retail Butchery Training Package Review, providing feedback on current skills, workforce and training needs and helping ensure future training reflects contemporary industry practice.
The Retail Butchery – Have Your Say session forms part of the Retail Butchery and Smallgoods JSC project. MINTRAC is supporting the management of this JSC project, as part of our collaborative partnership with Skills Insight.
Running concurrently, NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner James Cockayne will lead Coffee with the Commissioner: What Recent Cases Tell Us About Modern Slavery Risk.
The session will explore what recent cases can tell businesses about modern slavery vulnerabilities and what these risks mean in practice for workplaces, workers and supply chains.
Leadership, innovation and the state of VET
Delegates come together for the remainder of the program.
Nathan Scott, Facility and Training Manager at the Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub, will introduce the Manufacturing Leadership Essentials program before taking delegates on a tour of the Innovation Hub and its facilities.
Following morning tea, Angela Connell-Richards, CEO and Founder of Vivacity RTO Coaching & Consulting, will lead an interactive Q&A on the State of VET and the RTO Sector.
The session will examine the issues, changes and priorities currently affecting Registered Training Organisations and the broader vocational education and training sector, with an opportunity for attendees to bring their own questions into the discussion.
Connecting industry with skills and support
Following lunch, the program moves into the AFAM ITAB Sector Meeting - Connecting Industry, Skills & Support.
Led by Ben Holmes, the session will bring employers together with government agencies, regional organisations and programs supporting industry across NSW, with discussion around workforce and skills priorities, training pathways, government funding opportunities and practical support available to businesses.
The AFAM ITAB works across six sectors — Animal Care and Management, Agriculture, Meat Processing, Food, Racing and Seafood — making the session an opportunity to identify shared challenges while also discussing the specific needs emerging across individual industries.
Worker Safety Induction and immersive learning
The formal program concludes with MINTRAC’s Danielle Webster and Mark Wadsworth, who will present an update on the Meat Worker Safety Induction and its use of immersive learning.
The session will look at how immersive learning is being used to support consistent, accessible and engaging safety information for workers entering the meat processing industry, alongside a broader MINTRAC update.
From 3:30 pm, delegates are invited to stay for Networking Afternoon Drinks, providing time to continue conversations with speakers, government representatives, industry colleagues and other attendees.
Be part of Industry Connect
Industry Connect is designed to create practical connections between the people facing workforce and business challenges and those working across training, government and industry support — while giving industry a direct opportunity to contribute to work already underway.
๐
Wednesday 21 October 2026
๐ Central Coast Food Manufacturing Innovation Hub, Ourimbah NSW
๐๏ธ Complimentary | Registration required
If Industry Connect is in your calendar, make sure your registration is too.
๐ View the final program and register: HERE
MINTRAC Industry Connect - NSW Central Coast is proudly part of NSW Small Business Month 2026 and Jobs & Skills Month 2026.
DOWNLOAD FULL PROGRAM (click below)
