Australia's FMCG workforce resilience examined in new AFGC report

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has released a new report from Oxford Economics Australia examining workforce pressures facing Australia’s Fast-Moving Consumer Goods sector, setting a clear focus for long-term solutions.

The report provides a macro assessment of workforce challenges affecting the sector and marks the first phase of a broader workforce agenda the AFGC will lead in partnership with industry, government and stakeholders to support industry growth.

AFGC CEO Colm Maguire said the report arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry and the broader economy.

“Fast-moving consumer goods manufacturing is central to Australia’s economic resilience. The strength of our workforce will determine how competitive and productive the sector remains into the future,” Maguire said.

“This report gives us a clear reference point as we set our sights on growth. It is a credible, industry-wide evidence base which will guide our focus and draw attention to where pressures are emerging and ultimately where policy settings need to evolve.”

Maguire said building future capability will require renewed focus on the skills pipelines and career pathways in an industry that currently employs over 300,000 Australians in diverse roles across the country.

“Fast-moving consumer goods manufacturing offers lifelong careers with opportunity for progression and skills development. Strengthening vocational education, apprenticeships and trade pathways will be essential to attracting and developing the workforce the future demands,” he said.

“Many of today’s CEOs, site leaders and senior executives began their careers on the factory floor, in warehouses or in entry-level operational roles. They built skills, took up training and progressed step by step into leadership positions.

“Building workforce capability is ultimately about national competitiveness. Australia’s attractiveness as a place to invest will increasingly depend on the strength of its workforce and skills pipelines. This report is an important step towards informing long-term policy and investment decisions,” Maguire said.

Some key points examined in the report include:

• Labour market constraints, including demand and supply analysis
• Key areas driving labour supply and shortages, such as aging workforce, education pathways and retention rates
• Modelling for addressing workforce gaps across key roles, ranging from forklift drivers to packers
• Multiple response approaches for addressing workforce pressures.

Key occupations in focus for this report include:

• Food and drink factory workers
• Packers
• Forklift drivers
• Purchasing and supply logistics clerks
• Manufacturing production managers

The full report can be downloaded here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Bet_Noire