AgriFood Skills Australia has been appointed to provide new industry advisory services for NSW primary industry, food processing and racing.
 

Role of AgriFood NSW

AgriFood will be advising the NSW Government Department of Training about skills shortages and training needs, in conjunction with key NSW industry stakeholders. These stakeholders have been formed into a new advisory committee.

The first industry steering committee meeting was held in Sydney in April.  At this meeting new steering committee members provided advice and guidance to AgriFood on the skill development and training needs of NSW for 2010. Members of this committee have been appointed by AgriFood to advise on the skill development needs of the industries they represent.  

The new industry training advisory arrangements provide the NSW agrifood industry with a voice within a collaborative federal context.  The objectives and principles of these arrangements include:

• strengthening the voice, engagement and profile of industry in training system,
• ensuring that industry participation is based on a bipartite arrangement, reflecting representation across employer and employee organisations
• adding value to industry sectors and enterprises within sectors and to the state training system, and
• contributing to a NSW viewpoint on skills workforce development and training issues relating to the industry sectors within the national training system.
   

This will maximise complementary efforts with AgriFood Skills Australia that ensures a strong industry advisory mechanism is in place to drive the implementation of the NSW Strategic Plan for Vocational Education and Training, other state Government policy direction and and nationally agreed priorities.
 

Background

The process began in February 2010, when AgriFood placed an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the NSW Department of Education and Training (NSW DET) to provide industry advisory arrangements for the primary industries, food processing and racing industries in NSW. AgriFood received more than 40 letters of support, for which we wish to thank all of our industry stakeholders.

The NSW DET awarded a contract to AgriFood on 1 April 2010 to provide new industry advisory arrangement services until 2013. This contract replaces the previous ITAB arrangements for these industries as well as the NSW Rural and Related Industries Training Advisory Committee. 
 

Contact

To find out how AgriFood can assist your organisation in NSW, please contact Melissa Wortman, the NSW Industry Liaison Manager, on 0421 830 056 or melissaawortman@gmail.com.