AgForce is calling for an urgent “step change“ in ag education, following the controversial sale of Longreach Pastoral College.
As industry and rural communities wait to find out who has acquired the State Government facility, the organisation is pushing for greater emphasis on industry education.
Tenders for the Longreach Pastoral College were awarded on Friday.
A consortium of 10 large pastoral companies, led by AAM, missed out and the facility has been divided between three separate bids – yet to be announced.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin said he remained hopeful that the successful bidders would work with industry to deliver the training so desperately needed.
“Existing ag education in this country is simply not adequate or fit for purpose,“ he said.
“As technology and innovation continue to drive broader and different career pathways for young people into the industry, a contemporary training infrastructure sits central to delivering that opportunity and allowing those young people clear pathways and support.
“It is critical to underpinning the social, environmental and economic benefits industry can and does bring to Australia.”
In coming weeks, AgForce will finalise its new joint training venture with Response – an enterprise that will look for partnerships, collaboration and co-design opportunities.
Mr Guerin said he hoped there would be an opportunity to work with the new owners of Longreach Pastoral College.
“We are optimistic that the successful bidders will be open to collaboration with industry,” he added.
“Agriculture is an essential industry and providing industry-relevant training is vital to ensuring the current and future workforce is ‘job ready’ with the skills needed.”
