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 Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program (AEWPP) provides great value to ag extension employers and assists them by attracting young and committed graduates to the regions to fill local workforce needs. Read a case study describing the value that one of the participating employers has gained from being part of the project.
- Earlier this year, the federal government agreed to establish new industry-based clusters with broad roles and responsibilities for skills and workforce development by December 2022. Some of the detail of how this will change the vocational education and training system is still unclear. In the meantime find current information on the key qualification changes by checking the FAQs and and explanation notes.
- Payments of up to $20,000 and target support services are available for eligible employers through the revitalised Back to Work program, which is supporting Queensland employers who hire an eligible unemployed jobseeker from a targeted group who has experienced a minimum period of unemployment.
- The Queensland Government has extended the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme trial until 4 March 2021 in response to seasonal worker shortages. Some of the first workers to arrive in Queensland went to Craig Pressler’s farm in Central Queensland. Listen to a chat with Craig and his research and development manager Andrew Miles about the ins and outs of on-farm quarantine.
- The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association has launched Feedlot TECH, a new online careers and training platform in collaboration with Meat and Livestock Australia. The feedlot-specific training platform offers a central collection of training, education and career pathway information within the Australian lot feeding sector. Feedlot TECH is a tool to provide for the Australian feedlot sector, its businesses and current and future staff.
- The National Skills Council has released the latest Skills Priority List which includes nearly 800 occupations and aims to help governments, industry and education providers understand Australia’s skills needs and shortages. The list will be an important starting point when considering policies to meet Australia’s skills needs, including training funding, skilled migration and other related initiatives and incentives.
- A year ago, QFF launched a new website in partnership with FarmReady Hub and with support from the Queensland Government. To date, 213 have enrolled in the training, more than 82 participants have gained a benefit of employment, and more than 40 agribusiness that have listed their support. To get involved please click here.
Diana Saunders
QFF Project Manager Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance
07 3837 4726
diana@qff.org.au