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 are needed?
A Reef Extension Training Needs Analysis (TNA) was undertaken in October 2018 to guide both the range and the form of the training and development activities to build the capacity of extension service providers in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, as part of the Enhanced Extension Coordination program. Over 150 people responded and the results are summarised in this executive summary. To receive the full report, contact John James (contact details below).
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
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APEN mentoring scheme
100% subsidy available for those working in Reef catchments
There’s probably no better way to improve your extension skills than receiving one-on-one mentoring from a seasoned professional.
Benefits of being mentored through the APEN Extension skills mentoring scheme include:
- the disciplined approach of reflection and planning to achieve outcomes
- increased knowledge and skills in a particular area of interest
- increased confidence in undertaking your daily work
- improved understanding of what is expected in your work role
- a supportive environment where you are encouraged to take risks and learn constructively from failure
- increased potential for career mobility and promotion
- improved understanding of the extension system
- getting to know other APEN members
- access to a “sounding board” to try out new concepts and ideas.
For all the details and to register, head over to the APEN website. It is one of the many benefits available to APEN members, and interested non-members may join and gain immediate access to it.
To be mentored for a year only costs $154 (inc GST) and the Enhanced extension project will subsidise this cost for the first 20 applicants working in the Reef regions, with up to 3 from the same organisation. Register your interest here by Wednesday 13 February.
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Reef Extension Think Tank
$200 subsidy available to cover travel and accommodation for those working in Reef catchments
This exciting event is being held Wednesday 15 to Friday 17 May 2019 at Townsville. See here for all the details and to register.
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Agronomy in Practice
100% subsidy available for those working in Reef catchments
This course is designed to improve the knowledge, skills and confidence of advisers in the fertiliser industry. It is presented by Incitec Pivot’s experienced agronomy team, using an interactive and engaging program with hands-on activities and assessments at every step of the way. It includes best practice soil, plant tissue and water sampling, testing, interpreting analysis results and making fertiliser recommendations. Participants will leave the course skilled in developing effective nutrient programs for their clients, and with the highest level of industry recognition.
Successful completion of Agronomy in Practice is rewarded by:
- Full access to Nutrient Advantage software and tools
- Fertcare Level C accreditation, and
- Recognition as a Fertcare Accredited Advisor.
Two workshops are scheduled to be delivered at Mission Beach (Horticulture & Sugar) on 26 – 28 March 2019 and again on 8 – 10 April 2019.
You need to register and pay for the course upfront and you’ll be reimbursed upon presentation of the tax invoice, the Fertcare Level C certificate and a short report (less than 500 words) of how your attendance contributed to improving the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef.
Register now to receive the subsidy here.
For all the details and to register for this course, head over to the Nutrient Advantage website.