Potential career pathways and future training options for students who

The food system professionals’ opinions of the career and training opportunities available for students who study this new curriculum are presented under three themes:

(i) Positive comments about the curriculum in terms of future careers and further education,

(ii) Career opportunities associated with Food Studies, and

(iii) Further training and education options associated with Food Studies.

Theme 1: Positive comments about the curriculum in terms of future careers and further education

Twelve participants mentioned the possibility of applying knowledge and skills gained from this new curriculum for entry to a wide range of career and training areas.

This gives a very good grounding for whole range of different careers that may not even be food focus. (P33: Project Manager/ Lecturer; Communications/ Media sector)

112

Six participants stressed the importance of identification of the potential career and training options available in food and related sectors and making students aware of those opportunities.

[….] actually identifying what the different pathways are and making sure that careers teachers, careers advisors actually know those paths [….] (P10: Lecturer; Marketing sector)

Two participants questioned the adequacy of skills gained from this subject in finding a future career and mentioned that students may need further training beyond this curriculum. But they believed that knowledge and skills students gained from this subject will help their future life in numerous ways.

I’m not sure that it would be sufficient to walk out of having study this at VCE level to then going to a job in the industry, in any kind of food industry; food or nutrition sort of area. (P11: Dietitian/ Lecturer; Nutrition sector)

One participant was pessimistic about the career prospects of this new subject. I am little bit confused about what the pathway is if students might choose this subject. (P19: Nutritionist; Government sector)

Theme 2: Career opportunities associated with Food Studies

Availability and emergence of careers: Eight participants pointed out the

availability of career and training opportunities in different food and nutrition sectors in general and some believed that more opportunities will be available in the future.

I think it’s becoming more and more obvious that these [food and nutrition-related] careers are emerging. (P4: Campaigner; Food Trends area)

113

Careers pathways: Twenty-one participants specifically indicated different career

pathways available for students following this subject. These careers pathways belonged to five broad sectors; hospitality industry, education and public service areas, food distribution and marketing, food industry, and primary food production.

Many participants (n=12) believed that this new curriculum opens up the pathway for joining the hospitality industry.

[.…] the students who are interested in going on and working in kitchens as chefs. I would hope that this [new curriculum] enables them to go, want to pursue those options […..] (P23: Research Fellow; Food Trends sector)

Twelve participants mentioned the different career avenues in the education and public service areas such as policy making, food safety regulation, food standards, food security, health, nutrition and food education, health promotion, research and development, food journalism, and food blogging. Furthermore, they indicated how this new curriculum would direct students towards those career avenues. As example:

In terms of post tertiary jobs, there are opportunities in the public services through Food standards Australia and New Zealand, in our Department of Health federally or at state level, then locally there is number of different councils in local governments’ areas […..] (P2: Research Coordinator; Community Food Security area)

Eleven participants believed that this new curriculum will generate student interest in seeking a career in food distribution and marketing sectors and become entrepreneurs.

114

I think the side that shouldn’t be forgotten is the small business start-up, entrepreneurial side of food. They [students] can create and develop their own business. (P10: Lecturer; Marketing sector)

The food industry was viewed as a sector (10 participants) where students can find careers after completion of new curriculum.

Once they’ve done that from VCE into university the options then are of course to work in food companies either on the plant or in the offices with consumer and nutrition groups, legislative groups. (P5: Retired Lecturer; Nutrition Science area)

Six participants mentioned careers in the food production sector. The cultivation of food crops, the development of improved farm inputs such as seeds and machinery, and the development and application of new farm technologies were viewed as areas with potential employment options for students.

There is an exciting future in the vegetable industry. Production techniques and technology is rapidly advancing in this space. We need young, innovative, creative people to be entering the industry [….] (P6: Manager; Horticulture sector)

Theme 3: Further training and education options associated with Food

Studies

Eighteen participants specifically mentioned further training or education options available for students after completion of the new curriculum. They mainly referred to university degree programmes and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) courses.

University degree programmes: University degree programmes related to food

115

were viewed as potential higher education pathways for students after completion of this new subject (eighteen participants). As examples:

[…..] there are many universities now doing food policies for example, so that this might be nice leading to that. As well as all the traditional sorts of food and nutrition areas. (P12: Home Economist/ Retired Teacher; Communications/ Media sector)

TAFE courses: Four participants mentioned Technical and Further Education

(TAFE) courses as a possible further training pathway.

An avenue would be TAFE. To do something with regards to cooking or hospitality or tourism [….] (P1: Lecturer; Food Service sector)

4.4.4 Role of food system/ food system professionals in improving secondary