Exploring a cotton and grains agricultural traineeship model

There is a significant current labour shortage across the Australian agricultural industry. While enrolments in agriculture university degrees have increased recently, this trend has not occurred in vocational education & training courses. The ‘Exploring a cotton & grains agricultural apprenticeship/traineeships model’ project will investigate how Vocational Educational Training (VET) & formal apprenticeships/traineeships can be utilised to support viable pathways for school leavers & career changers in the cotton & grains industry. The three-phase research project will consist of;  1. A review to examine how agricultural apprenticeships/traineeships operate in Aust & other developed countries  2. Comparison of identified skills required on cotton and grains farms with current VET agricultural training packages and;  3. Semi-structured interviews with cotton, grains & other agricultural industry participants including growers, apprentices & trainees, Registered Training Organisations & governing bodies to ascertain barriers, pathways & opportunities for an agricultural apprenticeship/traineeship.  Additionally, the skills identified from the skills audit (P2) will be corroborated by farmers & current apprentices/trainees in these interviews. The qualitative data collected will enable the research team to investigate the complex issues that exist for multiple stakeholders & which have to-date prevented the establishment of an agricultural apprenticeship that is fit-for-purpose for the cotton & grains industry. The recommendations for strategies and partnership to increase on-farm workforce capacity of the Australian cotton & grains industry through the employment of apprentices & trainees with recognised qualifications have the potential to assist in addressing the labour shortage currently being experienced. The benefits to the Australian cotton & grains industry of a skilled, dedicated, enthusiastic workforce will contribute to improving farm profitability, product...