Photo: Copyright Nicole Baxter, GRDC
AgSkilled 2.0 is a $15 million, three-year NSW Government-funded, industry-led workforce development strategy. It aims to ensure the state’s cotton, grains, production horticulture, viticulture and rice industries have a skilled workforce capable of meeting future challenges.
The skills required on farm are rapidly changing, AgSkilled 2.0 will provide funded training to boost the skills of farmers, farm employees, contractors and industry professionals in the grains industry at a time when many are starting to recover from extended drought.
Many of the quality courses developed and delivered to the grains industry through the original AgSkilled program will remain available through AgSkilled 2.0.
AgSkilled prides itself on delivering flexible and relevant training to meet the needs of industry. If you or your business need training but can’t find a course to suit, please Contact the AgSkilled Project Officer.
The initial AgSkilled program successfully identified and delivered a broad range of training courses – from machinery operation to risk management and innovation – to agricultural employers and employees across regional NSW. We believe this valuable, ongoing investment in education and training will further increase the capacity of agricultural workforces, allowing growers, on-farm staff and the broader industry to better manage current and future challenges.
Photo: Copyright Melanie Jensen, GRDC
Grains and oilseeds are Australia’s largest category of food exports, representing 24% of total agricultural exports. Grain farming spans diverse landscapes, each with its own unique climatic and geographical challenges. Despite this, Australian growers are highly competitive internationally, while also supplying high-quality products for domestic consumption (human and livestock).
The NSW grains industry:
Is made up of approximately 6,771 farms.
Employs more than 10,000 people.
The majority of farms are family owned.