Ai Group Confectionery Sector

With over 300 specialist staff and offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and regional locations, Ai Group provides assistance in a number of key business areas. The Ai Group Confectionery Sector delivers confectionery advocacy, news and information and help with technical confectionery matters; along with Ai Group's core services in training, legal services, workplace relations, sustainability, trade and export, OHS, and business development.

Membership with the Ai Group Confectionery Sector makes good business sense.

ConTech2013

Australasia's confectionery and food industry technical conference

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Confectionery Sector is proud to bring you ConTech2013 

When: 14-15 May 2013
Where: The Hilton On The Park Melbourne

Click here to visit the ConTech2013 website

• New Food Industry Management graduate course
  The Victorian State Government has funded an Ai Group project to implement a leadership training program for the food and beverage and confectionery manufacturing sectors. The result is a nationally accredited 12-month course, delivered by the William Angliss Institute in Melbourne that will see successful graduates awarded a Vocational Graduate Certificate in Food Industry Management.
  
  The course is flexible, allowing students to study part time and undertake a variety of workplace assignments and assessment tasks. With enrolment already well underway, interested members should contact Alan Maguire, Ai Group Education and Training Adviser, on (03) 9867 0159.

• A strong industry voice
  Ai Group is a leading industry organisation delivering services to more than 10,000 companies across Australia. This strong national presence, together with the Ai Group Confectionery Sector's in-house expertise, means continued strong representation for members.
  
  This strong national voice and industry specific advocacy will benefit confectionery business. 
   
• Your industry sector
  The Ai Group Confectionery Sector has a Confectionery Committee made up of industry representatives to provide input and guidance on policy issues. The Technical and Regulatory Committee will continue to play a vital role in the industry's development. 
   
• Confectionery news 
  The Ai Group Confectionery Sector will keep you informed on technical and regulatory updates, market developments and industry news through MediaScan, Confectionery Industry News, web-based information and briefings.
   
• Members will also receive
  Ai Group's BIZassistUpdates, providing alerts on changes to awards, pay scales and allowances, rulings by Fair Work Australia and other business related issues. 
   
• Practical advice and assistance
  Members receive Ai Group's BIZassistManual full of practical information on legislative changes; tips on managing staff; OHS; training and skills development; and environment and energy. 
   
• The Industry Directory
  The printed directory includes contact details and a comprehensive description of commodities manufactured by our member companies which is useful when buyers are sourcing products from the Australian and New Zealand industry.  The directory also has details on companies who supply ingredients, packaging, machinery and services to the industry, as well as distributors of the product.  The directory is mailed to all member companies, confectionery/seasonal buyers across the retail/wholesale sector, selected trade offices worldwide and state and regional government departments.
   
• Technical Support
  The Ai Group Confectionery Sector offers technical and regulatory support, including assistance with labelling compliance. 
   
• Workplace Relations
  Ai Group members have unlimited access to BIZassistInfoline, our national telephone advisory service for workplace related questions. Call BIZassistInfoline 1300 78 38 44, during business hours, Monday to Friday. 
   
• Export and Trade
  Covering everything from Certificates of Origin to market visits and trade missions, the Ai Group trade and export team includes dedicated TradeStart staff with information on overseas markets. 
   
• Environment and Energy
  Ai Group provides members with expert advice on environment management and energy issues including negotiations, tariffs, compliance, cleaner production strategies and identifying funding opportunities. You will also have access to the Sustainable Business Help Desk. 
   
• OHS and Workplace Safety
  Ai Group has a representative on Safe Work Australia and provides practical tools to help you identify risks in your workplace to create a safe working environment for your business. A full range of accredited training courses are available. 
   
• Expanding member networks
  ConTech, the confectionery industry's premier event is held annually in Melbourne along with a range of other Ai Group member networking opportunities in Victoria and other states.
  
  BIZassistBriefings are free two-hour member briefings run across the country providing members with the latest information on current and emerging issues affecting your business. They are a great opportunity to network with members from a range of sectors. 
   
• Training and Apprentices
  You can benefit from the large and diverse pool of apprentices and trainees available under Ai Group Training Services (AiGTS), a registered training organisation delivering Australian accredited on-the-job training for traineeships, and fee for service courses across a range of sectors including food and retail.