OnTap Magazine

BASA UPDATE It has always been the norm for big brewing companies to employ university graduates – this has recently become a growing trend within the craft industry as well. With most breweries now looking for “qualified and experienced brewers”, breweries either have to cultivate their own skillsets by making use of the grants made available by the Food & Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (commonly referred to as the FoodBev SETA), or by selecting pioneers from the pool of Intervarsity Brewing Competition participants. The FodBev SETA’s function is to promote, facilitate and incentivise skills development in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector. The FoodBev SETA is one of 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) across the economy mandated to put the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) into practice. The SETA makes grants available to companies within the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector (levy paying and non-levy paying companies) for the enrolment of employed and unemployed learners. Then there is the Intervarsity Competition. Over the years SAB has helped to fund, along with other suppliers and donors, the construction of nano-breweries at several leading universities across the country. By early 2008, sufficient tertiary institutions had been kitted- out for SAB to inaugurate the first of the now annual SAB Intervarsity Competitions. The competition (hosted in Bloemfontein on the 22 October 2021) will see teams of students come together for a weekend of fun, learning, sharing and appreciation of all things beer related. The teams are required to brew a beer from the prescribed beer styles prior to the event. During the event, the beers are judged by qualified judges, with an awards ceremony for the winners later in the evening. By employing the trailblazers of the Intervarsity Competition, we are able grow the skills pool in our local beer industry, simply by spotting talent and affording our youth with the opportunity to either work in a big company, or make a contribution to a local microbrewery or craft brewer. Either way, we are fortunate to be a part of an industry where there is ample opportunity for growth, exciting careers and regular skills development for all its participants and contributors, regardless of their age or skill levels. STARTING A CAREER IN THE BEER INDUSTRY ontapmag.co.za | Spring 2021 | 15