Welcome to the Rural Skills and Training Industry Advisory Group newsletter designed to keep you up-to-date with news on skills development, training opportunities and the labour market in primary industries. You are receiving this newsletter as a key stakeholder in the future development of Queensland's primary industries.
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Industry Advisory Group meeting update
Skills Passport
Rural Skills Australia gave a presentation on a possible online Skills Passport and will be looking to develop a pilot project in Queensland.
Qld rural skills and training demand report 2009
We are currently gathering information for the Queensland rural skills and training demand report 2009. This report will be used by the Department of Education and Training to make investment decisions for rural skills training in 2010-11.
Our information search includes 24 group meetings with producers, business owners and fishers across Queensland between June and August as well as an online survey to identify skill shortages.
Growcom Report
The Growcom workforce development plan was presented and the group discussed how it might be progressed. For further information contact Leanne Usher at Growcom on 07 3620 3815.
Training packages
A report was tabled on the new AgriFoods Skills Australia training package for rural industries. AgriFoods advise that feedback has now closed for the current stage of the merged rural training package: Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management, AHC09.
Attracting top students vital to sector's future
The National Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (PICSE) is working to attract top students to the primary industries sector as scientists and future leaders. The PICSE team runs science/industry camps, provides industry placements with scientists, scholarships and professional development workshops for teachers and develops teaching resources.
All of these activities showcase the importance of science and the variety and excitement of careers in food and fibre industries.
For further information
Student transfers: a step up, a side step or a new direction
Student transfers between the vocational education and training and higher education sectors is the subject of a research overview recently released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). NCVER managing director, Dr Tom Karmel said students have been transferring between the education sectors for years for a wide range of reasons.
Copies of the paper, Student transfer: at a glance, are available through NCVER.
Animal Welfare Education Project
Monash University's Professor Grahame Coleman and Victoria's Department of Primary Industries' and University of Melbourne's Mariko are working with the Animal Welfare Science Centre to develop a CD/web-based animal welfare education package for people responsible for the oversight of animal welfare as part of their jobs. The package will examine issues such as human-animal interactions, animal ethics and implications for animal use in society, as well as current issues regarding minimum acceptable standards. The project is due for completion in June 2010 (Source: AWSC Newsletter Vol 2, Issue 2). Contact Jeremy Skuse on 03 8344 8933 or jskuse@unimelb.edu.au
Great opportunity to offer work experience to university students during mid-year and end of year vacations
The Brolga Project, launched on October 6 last year and now with a presence in 10 Australian universities, links students needing work experience with under-staffed businesses, non-profit agencies and government departments in regional and rural Australia.
Upcoming placements include an engineering student from the Sunshine Coast who is going to a western NSW council later in the year, law students from the University of New South Wales and the University of New England who will travel to the South Burnett area for work experience in a Child Safety Service, and marketing students Katie Adams and Jade Sciberras who are heading to Byron Bay.
More information
Want to work in lifestyle horticulture?
There's a great new website for employment and careers in lifestyle horticulture, such as the nursery industry, landscaping, and turf and flower production.
Awards and grants
Supporting the next generation of rural and regional leaders
The Australian Government is encouraging more young people to pursue careers in agriculture, with $1 million in funding to help develop youth leadership skills.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the first round of grants under the Next Gen Farmers initiative this week.
Thirty projects will share in the funding, including a project to provide more training and mentoring for young women in agriculture and other projects in industries such as grains, dairy and horticulture.
More information
TQA Global Insights Award
The TQA Global Insights Award recognises excellence in on-farm food safety, quality assurance or environmental management.
The award provides for Australian primary producers to visit best practice international farms, meet existing and potential customers and build insights into their industry. Applications close Friday 14 August.
VET e-portfolio showcase
E-portfolios are becoming increasingly popular around the world as a tool to enhance learning and assist with personal career development.
The VET e-portfolio Showcase to be held in Melbourne on 16 October 2009 will bring together leaders in education and training from across Australia to discuss how the national training system can best utilise e-portfolios.
Agri-food international fellowships up for grabs
Two valuable international fellowships are being offered by AgriFood Skills
Australia and the ISS Institute. The fellowships seek to promote the
acquisition of higher-level skills and an appreciation of international best
practice for Australia's agrifood industry.
Your feedback and contributions are welcome. If you have ideas for the newsletter such as upcoming events or industry initiatives, email the Editor or write to us at:
Rural Skills, Training and Labour
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001
Visit Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries' Rural Skills, Training and Labour web pages for useful contacts for building your career in primary industries.
You can now subscribe to the rural skills e-newsletter to receive information on the latest rural skilling news, publications and events
AIH Sponsor:
National Insurance Brokers
Whether it be small or large business we can source quality insurance products to provide protection to suit your needs. You will receive expert service because the protection of your business is important.
In the year of AIH Golden Anniversary, AIH will be conferring an award of significance to an outstanding horticulturist. This is the highest award of industry recognition to be given to a professio...
AIH will be offering an award for The Australian Horticulture Student of the Year in 2010.
The Award is open to all full time students currently undertaking an acknowledged course in Horticu...
This is the most prestigious AIH award. It is open to Fellows, Members and Associate Members of the Institute.
Nominations are now open and can be sent to the AIH National Secretary secretary@aih.org.au
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