Agronomy Project
Menu: Click across the green arrows to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.Case for change
Agronomy is a key skill area for supporting the longevity and competitiveness of Australian agriculture. While university level education produces scientists capable of guiding soil management and field crop production, industry has expressed the need for graduates with more technical and applied skills. Initial scoping in 2017 identified that private sector enterprises were most in need of this kind of expertise, with needs of large and public sector organisations being met by University programs.
The only current qualification on scope is the Victorian Accredited Course 22273VIC Diploma of Agronomy. Feedback from industry suggests this program is useful and could be beneficial in informing the development of a national qualification.
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project out of the 2019-2022 Agriculture and Production Horticulture IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (see pages 21-26).
Skills Impact and the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.
Download Project Proposal (see pages 21-26)
Project Plan
Australia is one of the most food secure nations on earth, growing 93% of its own food supply (National Farmers Federation). The science of agronomy plays a key role in this, studying how environmental influences can impact the growth and use of plants and animals for food, fibre, fuel and land reclamation.
Agronomists may consider soil, nutrition, weather, cultivation techniques and a range of other factors in order to improve the productivity and sustainability of agricultural practices. In this way, they assist farmers to achieve the best long-term results from the land.
In a country where drought is a recurring factor, being able to adapt to weather events is paramount. Practical skills in agronomy can help put research into practice to achieve this, but there is a shortage of people with the technical expertise. While the Australian Government Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business has observed an increase in demand for agricultural scientists and consultants, The Victorian Skills Commissioner notes that staff and specialists with expertise in Agronomy are difficult to find.
Project Scope
The purpose of this project is to establish a nationally recognised Diploma of Agronomy and the units within it, to broaden the training opportunities in this field. It will consider the contents of the current Victorian accredited diploma.
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Relevant Occupations
The Diploma of Agronomy will open pathways towards the business and management of agricultural enterprises, as well as in the applied fields of soil management and advanced crop production. It will also allow farmers and horticulturalists to develop skills in this area, giving them the tools to make more informed decisions. Qualifications in agronomy also provide opportunities for consultancy and sales organisations. Examples of job roles that relate to this qualification include:
- Agronomist
- Agronomy or Agricultural Consultant
- Horticulturist
- Farmer
- Organic Farmer
- Farm Manager
- Production Horticulture Manager
- Horticulture Manager
- Sustainable Fruit and Vegetable Farmer
- Farm Supervisor
- Fruit and Vegetable Farm Supervisor
- Mushroom Farm Supervisor
- Irrigation Master Technician
- Senior Farmhand
Timeline
June – mid August 2019
Initial scoping
mid August – mid September 2019
Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units
mid September – mid October 2019
Drafts available for broad consultation
December 2019
Validation of final drafts
January – February 2020
Finalisation of Training Package components
March – mid June 2020
Independent Quality Assurance, and Edit and Equity review of Training Package components
June 2020
IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement
Project Team
Lucinda O’Brien, Industry Skills Standards Specialist, Skills Impact
Andrew Horgan Industry Engagement Manager, Skills Impact
Peter Miller Industry Skills Standard Contractor
Subject Matter Experts
Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised units, skill sets and qualifications.
If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to lucinda@skillsimpact.com.au
Opportunities for stakeholder input
Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The documents will be drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in September 2019, and again for validation of final drafts in December 2019. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the qualifications, skill set and units. It is important that training provides a skilled and flexible workforce for the future. The qualifications, skill sets and units need to reflect real work experience. So if you work in the sector, Skills Impact would love your input and help. Please feel free to register your interest for project updates and consultation opportunities by following the newsletter subscription link below. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project manager, Lucinda O’Brien on 03 9321 3526 or [email protected].
Stakeholder Consultation Process
A list of key stakeholder organisations has been identified for this project. Skills Impact will ensure contact is made with each of these organisations during the development of this project to seek their involvement and their views on the draft qualifications, skill sets and units.
If you are aware of an organisation that you think should be involved, please contact the project team to ensure they are contacted by us.
Of course, all and any interested industry participants are encouraged to engage in the consultation of this project, when the draft qualifications, skill sets and units are available for feedback via this webpage and workshops that take place around Australia. Consultation is not limited to the organisations on this list. This list simply helps us to identify those organisations that, because of their industry role, size or specialty, are likely to have a key interest in the development and outcomes of this project.
The Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will oversee this project, as part of their responsibilities to support engagement with the sector, and to ensure projects meet industry stakeholder needs.
Development
The science of agronomy plays a pivotal role in ensuring the productivity and sustainability of agricultural practices. Agronomists consider how environmental factors like soil, nutrition, weather, and cultivation techniques can impact the growth of animals and plants for food, fibre, fuel and land reclamation. There is industry demand for workers with practical skills in agronomy to put this science into practice, however no nationally endorsed training is currently available.
As part of this project, work is now underway to develop a nationally recognised Diploma of Agronomy. In August, a workshop was held with stakeholders and subject matter experts who work directly in the agronomy field. This meeting described the required functions, roles and tasks of an agronomist and identified units of competency to cover these needs. Particular focus was placed on skills to capture and interpret data and perform analysis, to support effective communication and implementation of agronomy science.
For further details about the drivers, scope and timeline of the project, click on the green project stage arrows above.
Consultation Workshops – Registrations Open!
Thank you to those stakeholders that have been involved and provided feedback and advice so far. The revised draft skill sets and units will be made available on this webpage for public consideration and feedback from mid-September to mid-October 2019 (under the ‘Drafts Available’ menu above). Face-to-face consultation workshops will also take place across states and territories, with a webinar planned for those unable to attend in person. Registrations for these workshops are now open. Register for a workshop near you by clicking the corresponding link.
Face-to-face consultation workshops
Tues 17 Sept 19, 9am to 11am AEDT – Mildura – register here
Mon 23 Sept 19, 10am to 12pm AEDT – Launceston – register here
Wed 25 Sept 19, 9am to 11am ACST – Adelaide – register here
Thurs 26 Sept 19, 9am to 11am AEDST – Sydney – register here
Tues 8 Oct 19, 9am to 11am AEST – Brisbane – register here
Wed 9 Oct 19, 9am to 11am AEST – Cairns – register here
Thurs 10 Oct 19, 9am to 11am AEDST – Melbourne – register here
Tue 15 Oct 19, 9am to 11am ACST – Darwin – register here
Thurs 17 Oct 19, 9am to 11am AWST – Perth – register here
Consultation webinar
Wed 16 Oct 19, 9.30am to 10.30am AWST – Webinar – register here
Proposed qualification and units of competency for development and review
Following input during workshops with subject matter experts, the following qualification and units of competency are proposed for development and review. Drafts of these documents will be made available in mid-September 2019.
Proposed new qualification
Diploma of Applied Agronomy
Proposed new skill set
Digital Agronomy Skill Set
Proposed new unit
Design and manage a crop and pasture nutrition program – title to be confirmed
Units to review
AHCBAC503 Manage integrated crop and pasture production
AHCBAC504 Plan and manage a stored grain program
AHCBAC507 Develop production plans for crops
AHCBAC508 Apply plant biology to agronomic practices
AHCWRK503 Prepare reports
AHCWRK505 Manage trial and research material
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Drafts Available
Agronomists are skilled at considering all environmental factors and asking the right questions to provide advice to growers and farmers on how to maximise their production. They consider how factors like soil, nutrition, weather, and cultivation techniques can impact the growth of animals and plants for food, fibre, fuel and land reclamation. This is why there is a current need for more Agronomists with practical skills. They have a positive affect on many agricultural sectors, supporting growers and farmers to achieve the best long-term results from the land.
Consultation has focused on the practical and hands-on expertise required to put the research of agronomy into practice, such as the skills and knowledge to address emerging changes in technology, as well as to plan, capture and interpret data and to preserve natural resources.
A Diploma of Applied Agronomy and Digital Agronomy Skill Set have been developed to embed these skills needs. Existing units of competency have also been reviewed and revised. Two new units have also been developed for designing and managing a crop and pasture nutrition program and for interpreting and implementing agricultural data.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft units of competency and qualification that were made available on this webpage for feedback from 16 September – 20 October 2019.
During this time, feedback was collected via the online feedback hub, nine consultation workshops, a webinar and email. The drafts, including any comments made on the feedback hub, are still available for viewing below.
The qualification, skill set and units were drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts. Visits to growers, farmers and other people working directly in agricultural industries took place in June and August 2019 to learn about the skills and knowledge required of an agronomist.
Feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which are expected to available for industry validation in December 2019. A summary of the feedback and how it was addressed in the final drafts will also be available.
New qualification providing the skills and knowledge required for agronomist roles in the agricultural industry.
| AHC5XX20 Diploma of Applied Agronomy | View draft qualification |
The draft document can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
This new skill set includes the skills and knowledge required for agronomists to provide digital agronomic advice and expertise. It set builds on the skills and knowledge attained in AHC5XX20 Diploma of Applied Agronomy.
| AHCSS000XX Digital Agronomy Skill Set | View draft skill set |
The draft document can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
| Unit code and name | Rationale | Review & Feedback |
| AHCBAC5XX Design and manage a crop and pasture nutrition program | Developed to cover the skills and knowledge required to analyse characteristics, determine nutrient requirements, design a nutrient management plan, and monitor and evaluate a crop and pasture nutrition program. | View draft unit |
| AHCXXX5XX Interpret and implement agricultural data | Developed to cover the skills and knowledge required to identify, interpret, implement and review agricultural data, identify and address data gaps, and monitor agricultural operations. | View draft unit |
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
Proposed changes to the following units include:
- Minor changes to application.
- Minor edits to elements in some units and various changes and edits to Performance Criteria (PC).
- Inclusion of foundation skills.
- Assessment Requirements updated to include the frequency and or volume for performance evidence.
- Minor edits to performance evidence and knowledge evidence in some units.
- Specific conditions provided within the assessment conditions.
| AHCBAC503 Manage integrated crop and pasture production | View draft unit |
| AHCBAC504 Plan and manage a stored grain program | View draft unit |
| AHCBAC5XX Develop production plans for crops and pastures (previously known as AHCBAC507 Develop production plans for crops) | View draft unit |
| AHCBAC508 Apply plant biology to agronomic practices | View draft unit |
| AHCWRK503 Prepare reports | View draft unit |
| AHCWRK505 Manage trial and research material | View draft unit |
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
Summary of consultation to date
Visits to growers, farmers and other people working directly in agricultural industries took place to learn about the skills and knowledge required of an agronomist. By seeking workplace job advice we hope to identify the skills standards for hands-on expertise in agronomy, supporting the future skills development of this job role and the industry sectors they positively contribute to. The qualification, skill set and units have been drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) through face-to-face meetings and email communication to assist with industry-specific language and content requirements. Thank you to those who provided feedback during these activities.
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Validation
Practical skills in agronomy are currently in demand in Australia. To help agricultural enterprises achieve the best long-term results from the land, agronomists need to know how the environment, soil, nutrition, weather and cultivation techniques can affect crops and/or pastures.
Consultation is taking place throughout the life of this project to capture the skills required to apply agronomy science to agricultural practice.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the final draft qualification, skill set and units that were made available on this webpage for feedback from 29 November – 15 December 2019.
The documents have been revised to address the requirements of industry for hands-on expertise to put the research of agronomy into practice, including the skills and knowledge to address emerging changes in technology, plan for, capture and interpret data, and conserve natural resource.
The final drafts will shortly progress through to the Finalisation stage of the project which includes quality assurance of the documents and review and feedback from the State/Territory Training Authorities. They will then be forwarded to the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off, before being submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.
Summary of consultation to date
Prior to the Validation period, the initial drafts of the qualification, skill set and units were made available from 16 September – 20 October 2019, under the ‘Drafts Available’ stage. During this time, feedback was collected through the online feedback hub and emails, and as a result of nine face-to-face consultation workshops held around the country, a webinar, and phone calls. The units were drafted with guidance from a Subject Matter Expert Group, made up of workplace experts and industry. The majority of feedback received for the Diploma of Applied Agronomy supported the development of the qualification, in particular the ability to undertake a qualification that provided practical experience in agronomy. In general, the units of competency and the new skill set were well received and supported. Some units required additional work subsequent to feedback to ensure they captured industry needs.
A description of how feedback has been considered and applied in these final drafts can be downloaded below. Please click the ‘Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions’ button.
| Qualification code and name | Proposed changes | Link |
| AHC5XX20 Diploma of Applied Agronomy | Packaging rules and placement of units as core and elective revised to reflect industry requirements. | View final draft qualification |
| Skill set code and name | Proposed changes | Link |
| AHCSS000XX Digital Agronomy Skill Set | Revision of units to remove duplication of skills. | View final draft skill set |
| Unit code and name | Proposed changes | Link |
| AHCAGB5XX Interpret and use agricultural data (formerly proposed title AHCXXX5XX Interpret and implement agricultural data) | Title change for clarity, minor edits to Application, Performance Criteria, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence to reflect industry requirements. | View final draft unit |
| AHCBAC5XX Design and manage a crop or pasture nutrition program (formerly proposed as AHCBAC5XX Design and manage a crop and pasture nutrition program) | Changed “crops and pastures” to “crops or pastures” in title and throughout document to reflect industry requirements and allow for flexible delivery. Minor edits to Application, Performance Criteria, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence to reflect industry requirements. | View final draft unit |
| Unit code and name | Proposed changes | Link |
| AHCBAC5XX Develop production plans for crops or pastures (formerly proposed as AHCBAC5XX Develop production plans for crops and pastures) | Changed “crops and pastures” to “crops or pastures” in title and throughout document to reflect industry requirements and allow for flexible delivery. Minor edits to Application, Performance Criteria, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence to reflect industry requirements. | View final draft unit |
| AHCBAC503 Manage integrated crop and pasture production | Minor edits to Performance Criteria and Performance Evidence to reflect industry requirements. | View final draft unit |
| AHCBAC504 Plan and manage a stored grain program | Minor edits to Performance Criteria, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence to reflect industry requirements. | View final draft unit |
| AHCBAC508 Apply plant biology to agronomic practices | Minor edits to Performance Criteria, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence to reflect industry requirements. | View final draft unit |
| AHCWRK5XX Write and present reports (formerly known as AHCWRK503 Prepare reports) | Changed title to include communication of reports, reflected throughout document. Minor edits to Application and Performance Criteria. | View final draft unit |
| AHCWRK505 Manage trial and research material | Minor edit to Performance Criteria. | View final draft unit |
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Finalisation
Farmers and horticulturalists need the ability to adapt to weather and climate conditions, especially in a country like Australia, where drought is a recurring factor. Workers with practical skills in agronomy can help put research into practice to achieve this, assisting farmers to get the best long-term results from the land. The science of agronomy looks at how environmental influences can impact the growth and use of plants and animals for food, fibre, fuel and land reclamation. Agronomists consider factors across the entire farming system, such as the environment, soil, nutrition, weather and cultivation techniques, and how these can affect crops and/or pastures. This project came about due to a need for more workers with practical skills in agronomy and the lack of national skills standards to address the technical expertise required to apply agronomy practices.
Industry has driven this project to define the hands-on skills required for this work, resulting in the development of a Diploma of Applied Agronomy, a skill set in digital agronomy and two units of competency in agricultural data and nutrition. Six existing units have also been revised for use in the qualification. The existing units were reviewed to make them appropriate for use in current agricultural settings, including skills for applying principles of agronomy.
The qualification, skill set and units were published on the training.gov.au website on 24 December 2020, within the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package. They are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs).
Industry consultation focused on the practical and hands-on expertise required to put the research of agronomy into practice, such as the skills and knowledge to address emerging changes in technology, as well as to plan, capture and interpret data and to preserve natural resources.
“Having a qualification that reflects the professional standards of agronomists working in the field will be of significant benefit to the industry in ensuring advice is well informed and communicated. I highly recommend this qualification to agricultural industry players who want to have staff that have a solid grounding in the principles of a career in applied agronomy.”
Mark Stanley, Director Regional Connections Pty Ltd.
Key Outcomes
- One qualification developed to capture the complex skills required to put knowledge of agronomy into practice, including skills for working with agricultural data,
- One skill set developed to support the digital expertise required for work in agronomy, including knowledge of system types and how to use them,
- Two units of competency developed:
- AHCAGB532 Interpret and use agricultural data to support skills in the interpretation and implementation of agricultural data.
- AHCBAC514 Design and manage a crop or pasture nutrition program to support the skills and knowledge required to review, test and analyse site characteristics, determine plant nutrient requirements, design a nutrient management plan, and monitor and evaluate a crop or pasture nutrition program and nutrient management plan.
- Six units reviewed so that they are applicable to the context of agronomy, as well as other industry sectors.
Summary of consultation
The units, skill set and qualification were developed with guidance from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), made up of workplace experts and industry. The broader industry were then consulted on the draft documents at two different stages – the ‘Drafts Available’ and ‘Validation’ stages.
Throughout this process feedback was collected a number of ways, via consultation workshops, site visits, the online feedback hub, email, telephone and online surveys.
A summary of feedback and how it was been considered and applied at the ‘Drafts Available’ and ‘Validation’ stages can be downloaded below.
The qualification, skill set and units were endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (read the communique) and State and Territory Ministers after undergoing an edit and equity and independent quality assurance process and consideration by the State/Territory Training Authorities (STAs/TTAs). A Case for Endorsement was submitted alongside the draft qualification, skill set and units, including a rationale of why these changes are needed and evidence of industry support.
Click here to download the Case for Endorsement
Please find below links to the final documents, that are published on the training.gov.au website.
Companion Volume Implementation Guide
A Companion Volume Implementation Guide has also been produced to assist industry and registered training providers (RTOs) deliver the qualification, skill set and units. It contains key information to help trainers adapt to any new changes, as well as additional information about the impacts of regulation and licensing implications and workplace health and safety on their training.
Click here to download the Companion Volume Implementation Guide Part 1
Click here to download the Companion Volume Implementation Guide Part 2