Enhanced extension coordination is a new program being developed as part of the Queensland Government’s Reef Water Quality Program, managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). A key element of this new program is the development of a training program that will further improve the skills and capability of those providing extension services to farmers. This training will be open to anyone working in this field, including industry development officers, researchers, agricultural advisors, agronomists and consultants.
Reef Alliance
Enhanced Extension Coordination
What is extension?
Extension is the process of enabling change in individuals, communities and industries. You might not even call yourself an extension officer, but instead an industry development officer, researcher, advisor, agronomist, consultant or perhaps something else.
What skills do you need?
The first step is to determine which skills are most important to you and then organise relevant courses which DAF will advertise here and in the Enahnced Extension eBulletin. The survey has now closed and we are busily analysing the results.
Stay in touch
To hear when new training courses are available, please subscribe to our Enhanced Extension eBulletin.
Training Subsidies
To help you grow your extension and technical skills, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is offering subsidies for those working in the Reef catchments to cover the registration cost of approved courses. You (or your employer) will still need to cover your salary, travel and accommodation.
Register your interest in receiving a subsidy for attending a suitable reef-related training activity by completing a simple form, telling DAF how your attendance will contribute to improving the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef.
Once you’ve successfully completed the training, email DAF the Certificate of completion with your contact details, and they’ll happily reimburse 50% of the registration cost.
Over the next few months you complete the workshop follow-up activities to apply your learning in your workplace.
Then submit a short report (less than 500 words) to DAF detailing how you’ve applied your new learning in your workplace and how it contributes to improving the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef, and they’ll reimburse the other 50% of the registration cost.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr John James
Manager (Reef Extension Training Development)
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Telephone 07 4529 4125 or 0417 617 572
Email john.james@daf.qld.gov.au
Upcoming training opportunities
Certificate III in Irrigation 100% subsidy available for those working in Reef catchments
Applying too much irrigation water is not only a waste of money, but can increase the amount of chemicals and sediment being swept out to the Reef. Correctly designing and installing irrigation systems will help alleviate this.
DAF have recently negotiated for Irrigation Australia to deliver a tailored course for those working in the reef catchments. The two blocks of four-day training will be delivered at Home Hill on 11-14 December 2018 and 9-12 April 2019. To complete the course, you’ll need to undertake further homework, projects and assessments outside of the two training blocks to satisfy the requirements of each competency. Read all about it on the Irrigation Australia website and download the flyer.
Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges (QATC) 100% subsidy available for those working in Reef catchments
The QATC offer a wide range of courses that may benefit your extension and technical skills. Check out their website and subscribe to their newsletter.