CHRRUP’s LEADAg program returned to Longreach last month, providing people with valuable exposure to the agricultural industry and hands-on training to support their career aspirations.
The LEADAg program, designed to address the lack of practical training opportunities for those interested in agriculture, aims to build participants’ skills, confidence, and industry connections.
CHRRUP agricultural workforce officer Meg Bassingthwaighte said this year’s program was a great success, with participants able to take something away from the week.
“The program went really well,” she said.
“We had five participants, and we managed to do all of the activities that we had planned.
“They came from all over the state – there were two from the Gold Coast, and then one each from Toowoomba, Stanthorpe and Brisbane.
“Everyone went away taking something from it, and they all seemed to enjoy it, which was great.”
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a wide range of activities covering nutrition, pasture and genetics, small motor maintenance, livestock handling, welding, fencing, and rural first aid.
“Normally we head out to a lot of different properties,” Ms Bassingthwaighte said.
“This year we did nutrition, pasture, and genetics with Jenny and Desiree at the college on Monday in the boardroom and then went out to the paddock at Rosebank and around the college.
“We went out to Leander with Toby and Georgia Whip just out of town and focused on goats and small motors.
“The two days that we did with AgForce training were focused on chainsaws, welding, and fencing at the college.
“On Friday, we came out to my place at Sandalwoods and did rural and remote first aid with Vicki from Impulse Training.”
While LEADAg often works with school students in Years 10 to 12, this iteration of the program attracted young adults exploring new career options.
“Programs like these are definitely important,” Ms Bassingthwaighte said.
“There are a lot of different demographics that we can target with this program.
“In this age bracket, you obviously have some people in the workforce – most of the ones that come are not in the industry but are looking for a change.
“The idea is to give them a few basic skills as well as contacts and connections to people in the industry, who might be able to give them a job or information they need.”
Looking ahead, CHRRUP is also exploring new ways to deliver training and support within the industry, particularly for those already working in the agricultural sector.
“One demographic that we haven’t tapped into, which we have been talking about with lots of different people, is the upskilling of ringers,” she said.
“They might be already on the job and in their second or third year but come from less agricultural backgrounds.
“There may still be a lot of calls for some upskilling that may not be able to get taken care of on the property.”
For the moment, LEADAg and CHRRUP’s focus shifts to their youth program, which kicks off in Longreach on Monday, 7 July.
