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Farming Futures for Young PeopleThe need to recruit motivated and skilled young people into its workforce is one of the main challenges facing the dairying and horticulture industries, according to Tony Ryan, Schools to Industry Project Officer with the Victorian Farmers Federation By - 28th July 2003 - Back to News In opening the ‘Creating Futures’ Dairy and Horticulture Forum at McMillan ILFR this week, Mr. Ryan commended the Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) for establishing a partnership between industry groups and the education sector in West Gippsland to address issues relating to promoting careers in rural industries and developing an educational system that responded to the needs of employers.
A large group comprising representing local farmers, Rural Skills Australia, McMillan ILFR, Adult Community Education (ACE) and over 20 Work Placement students currently undertaking the Certificate 2 in Agriculture/Horticulture and their parents were in attendance.
Local dairy farmer Thelma Hutchison said that for many young people the Work Placement program was their first on–farm experience and as such employers needed to ensure that the student’s induction was thorough and that work/activities were well planned. She said that it was pleasing that McMillan ILFR was collaborating with farmers groups to develop these processes in a structured way.
Monique De Zwart, Industry Consultant with the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN said that it was important for the employers in the rural sector and young people interested in those industries to understand that besides the traditional apprenticeship, entry into the workforce could now be achieved through school-based New Apprenticeships or a part-time apprenticeships.
She said that it was through forums such as this that employers could outline their concerns, access information and support in the recruitment and training of workers and influence the nature and delivery of related education in their region. Ms De Zwart said that the forum was a productive beginning of an ongoing collaborative process that would produce positive outcomes for local rural industries and young people wishing to enter that sector of the workforce.
Further information can be obtained from Ms De Zwart on 56 332868
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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