Over the next 12 months or so the national qualifications and skills standards for jobs roles across pig, poultry and organic farming, as well as composting, permaculture, and water trading. So too will the occupational skills standards required to undertake job functions that apply to nearly every job role in the agriculture and horticulture industry.
The processes to review, update and develop these skills standards is being driven by industry. We encourage your input. Follow the links below for further details about how you can provide input.
Ag & Horticulture Core Skills Project
The Australian agriculture, horticulture, conservation and land management industry is made up of almost half a million skilled workers with diverse expertise. There are technical skills and knowledge that underpin many core work functions across the industry. These include some of the essential skills required to support work health and safety, environmental practices, quality assurance procedures and workplace recording, as well as the skills to build and maintain infrastructure and fencing and to support community related projects and programs, research initiatives and staff performance.
As a result of changes in regulations, technology, and new research, these fundamental skills have evolved in recent years, meaning the national skills standards require updating.
Consultation will take place across all sectors of the agriculture, horticulture, conservation and land management industry to help define the skills and knowledge that underpin these core work functions.
For more information, visit the project page.
Permaculture, Organic Production & Composting Projects
Production systems based around principles of permaculture, organic farming and composting are helping to meet consumer demand for produce that is locally grown and farmed using sustainable practices and methods.
These practices draw on traditional methods, including those used by Indigenous cultures around the world, as well as utilising new science to develop innovations.
As part of this project, industry experts will be consulted to define the job skills associated with permaculture, organic farming and composting, supporting the future training and development of the workforce.
For more information, visit the project page.
Pig & Poultry Project
Pig and poultry farmers rely on skills in animal welfare, safety and sustainability to raise and care for their animals used for eggs and meat. Eggs, chicken meat and pork are popular products in Australia, so it is important that industry has access to a skilled workforce to keep up with demand.
Industry feedback has indicated that some of the units of competency for pig and poultry farming do not reflect current industry practices or legislation.
If you have experience in pig and poultry production, your input is encouraged throughout this project to define industry standards. Industry input is needed to check that the skills standards are in line with real job functions and applicable to relevant legislation.
For more information, visit the project page.
Water Allocation & Entitlement Skills Project
Australian farmers and the nation’s food security are dependent on access to water resources. From its informal beginnings around 20 years ago, water trading in this country has evolved into a multifaceted market of entitlements and allocations.
Unique skills are required to navigate fluctuating prices, manage the buying and selling processes, calculate the carryover of water, and manage risk strategies around climate and long-term water allocation. It is especially important that
those working on small and family farms are empowered with the right knowledge and skills to navigate water markets.
As part of this project, national skills standards will be developed alongside industry experts, to support farmers, irrigators and water traders develop the skills necessary to operate in Australia’s various water markets.
For more information, visit the project page.
Respect for Country Job Skills Project
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have developed skills and knowledge for respecting Country over thousands of years, some of which are used in jobs connected to managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and reporting on important sites. These skills are described in nationally endorsed qualifications, skill sets and units that are used to equip leaners for jobs in ecosystem management, conservation, environmental and cultural analysis, and ranger occupations, as well as roles preparing regulatory, government or legislative reports.
We are seeking to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about any improvements that can be made to these qualifications and stills standards.
The project team of Michelle Ingley-Smith and Cathy Beven are here to discuss the current qualifications, skill sets and units and whether they can better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and communities.
For more information, visit the project page.
