The Australian agricultural sector faces a shortfall in graduate supply and limited digital and technical literacy across its existing workforce. In 2018 further declines were estimated with only 36% of advertised positions for agricultural scientist were filled. In part this relates to the reliance on traditional ways of educating graduates. While there are less than 1000 agricultural graduates in Australia every year, the Department of Industry estimates that there are over 20,000 engineering and IT graduates. This is a large talent pool that the agricultural sector needs to access, particularly given the opportunities emerging through digital agriculture and agtech. In order to understand and address these challenges and to maximise the opportunities available through digitisation and the emerging global agri-food tech ecosystem, industry and education/training providers need to explore new models to develop, attract and retain an adequately skilled and future-ready workforce.

This project will build on previous work conducted by the Australian National University, and recent Government and industry workforce capability mapping, to understand the unique challenges faced by AgriFutures levied, small and emerging industries, and how these differ from the wider agri-sector in terms of immediate and future skills needs. We will identify where general sector-wide, bespoke industry specific, and/or Australia-specific approaches could enhance skills and training outcomes for AgriFutures levied, small and emerging industries. The project will also assess the opportunities available through accessing the global agri-food tech ecosystem and recommend strategies to incentivise global solutions providers and talent to participate in the Australian market.