Welcome to the Rural Jobs & Skills Alliance (RJSA) e-news, providing updates on RJSA activities and what’s happening in Queensland agricultural jobs and skills. See the RJSA web page HERE.
- The Queensland agriculture sector has joined together to support an initiative encouraging primary school students to visit farms and other primary education sites to grow their knowledge by learning about agriculture production, sustainable practices and land stewardship. Details HERE.
- A report released by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) aims to identify and dispel common myths about working in agriculture to encourage more young people on their gap year to experience the sector. Read more HERE.
- The RJSA is attempting to address agriculture career misunderstandings by providing a prospective job pathway though the FarmReady Hub, while RJSA members including Cotton Australia and Growcom are facilitating their own gap year agriculture work programs Cotton Gap and the recently announced Gap Year.
- The Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is working with the Australian Bureau of Statistics to review how agriculture, fisheries and forestry occupations are classified in the Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The RJSA is collating responses on behalf of the Queensland agriculture sector, let us know your thoughts HERE.
- Farmers throughout the Great Barrier Reef catchments will benefit from 11 new extension officer graduates who recently began a work placement program with various agricultural advisory and Natural Resource Management groups. Read more about the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program from QFF HERE.
- TAFE Queensland offers a micro-credential in Rural Electrical Safety Awareness (MCC00024). This online short course is suitable for agricultural workers who work near live electrical apparatus and covers hazard identification, risk control and risk assessment. For more information and to enrol click HERE.
- Cotton picking season is the best time to be out on-farm to learn more about Australia’s high-quality cotton fibre. Teachers in growing regions across the state have relished this opportunity with nearly 150 educators attending RJSA member Cotton Australia‘s Teach the Teacher field trips this year. Find out more about the event HERE.
- UQ Skills, in collaboration with the RJSA, recently launched a Farm Business Management special edition, for women, by women, which attracted a significant number of women across Queensland seeking business management skills to incorporate into their personal, family, and rural businesses. More HERE.
- Recognising the immediate labour and ongoing skills shortage and its negative impact on the agriculture sector, the recent 2021-22 Federal Budget included a $29.8 million Employment in Agriculture package. The package is intended to improve agricultural employment opportunities to address some recommendations from the National Agriculture Workforce Strategy. Read more HERE.
Diana Saunders
QFF Project Manager Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance
07 3837 4726
diana@qff.org.au