Corporate activities

AgriFood Skills Australia is an active participant, represented by Chairman John Baker and CEO Arthur Blewitt, of the ISC Chair and CEO Forums which bring together all ISCs to progress cross-industry priorities and matters of national significance in relation to skill and workforce development.

In addition to the Forum's commitment to ongoing liaison with DEEWR, Skills Australia, TVET Australia and the NQC on national policy and training package reform, the Forum has pursued numerous initiatives in previous years, inlcuding:

  • A joint submission to the Productivity Commission study on the vocational education and training workforce,
  • An inaugural joint conference of the 11 ISCs on the future workplace,
  • The formation of joint ISC working groups on several issues including workforce development, language, literacy and numeracy
  • Input to review of the Australian Quality Council through collaborative workshops
  • Participation in the ANZCO review
  • Development of collective ISC position to report VET Products for 21st Century
  • Development of collective ISC position on the position paper, Foundations for the future
  • Participation in DEEWR workshop to consider roles and capabilities of ISCs
  • Participation in ISC Chairs Forum with Skills Australia
  • ISC CEO attendance and presentations at National Quality Council planning day
  • Participation in review of Australian Agricultural College Corporation
  • Sustainability in training.

 

Chief Executive Officer

CEO Arthur Blewitt regularly participates in numerous reviews, collaborative activities and industry events. Some of these include:

  • Presentation to the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) in Darwin on an integrated national initiative for regional Australia,
  • Presentation to the Future Farmer's Forum in Goondiwindi,
  • Presentation at the AquaEd Conference in Launceston,
  • Presentation to Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) Annual Policy Forum on workforce development,
  • Meeting of the Primary Industries Industry Training Advisory Board (ITAB) and TAFE NSW Directors at Orange,
  • Presentation at the Sustaining Rural Communities Conference in Narrabri,
  • Presentation at the MINTRAC Conference
  • Annual ABARE Outlook Conference
  • Memorandum of Understanding established with Primary Skills Victoria
  • Appearance at House of Representatives on Education and Training
  • Presentation at Wool Industry Workshop, sponsored by Rural Skills Australia
  • Presentation at meeting of University Deans of Agriculture
  • Participation in Agricultural Production Working Group
  • Presentations to Australian Honeybee Association, Skills and Workforce Participation on the Council of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  • National Irrigation Conference
  • Australian Apprenticeship Marketing Conference
  • Australian Agriculture Training Providers Network.
  • Submissions to Higher Education Review, Sustainability Review, Farmer’s Climate Change Educational Needs Review, Rural and Regional Educational Access Review supported by AgriFood data and analysis.

 

Media Activities

AgriFood maintains a program designed to inform and educate national, regional and industry stakeholders on the sector's needs and its own research and activities. Regular media releases are distributed and a key milestone is the publication of the annual Environmental Scan. AgriFood particularly works with regional media to encourage understanding of important trends.

Chairman John Baker and CEO Arthur Blewitt