Cootamundra Oilseeds is using a Federal grant to upskill staff as they move to state-of-the-art computerised oil processing.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor accompanied Assistant Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham on a tour of the plant today (Friday 7 August) to see how an Industry Skills Fund contribution of $2,650 is helping with training.

Assistant Minister Birmingham congratulated Cootamundra Oilseeds on its initiative in supporting local jobs. “There’s a lot of technological change the workforce has to adapt to. The Industry Skills Fund prioritises support to businesses just like this Cootamundra factory looking to re-skill staff to improve productivity,” Senator Birmingham said. 

Mr Taylor said Coota Oilseeds, the largest cold pressed oil producer in Australia, was leading the way in removing chemicals from its processing and using solar energy to run its plant. “Primary production is all about satisfying consumer tastes. More and more, shoppers are looking for healthier products delivered via sustainable practices. Cootamundra Oilseeds is the only commercially sized oil producer in Australia supplying chemical free extra virgin canola oil. This is a great business, supporting jobs in the Cootamundra community and innovating to get ahead of market demand,” Mr Taylor said.

Cootamundra Oilseeds General Manager Andrew Puckeridge said the new plant was expected to double production over the next six months. “The government support for training has been absolutely sensational. We have wonderful plant operating staff, but they haven’t had exposure to all the computer training they need to run our new system. We want everyone who’s here to stay working here, we want to support this town and so we’re upskilling with the help of the government,” Mr Puckeridge said.

Cootamundra Oilseeds has been trading for 20 years and employs 23 full time and up to six part time staff from across the district. Its new greenfield site on Cowcumbla Street was commissioned in June 2015.

Caption: Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham, Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor and Cootamundra Oilseeds General Manager Andrew Puckeridge touring Cootamundra Oilseeds’ new factory.