Rural Jobs & Skills Alliance e-news

Welcome to the Rural Jobs & Skills Alliance (RJSA) e-news. These newsletters are designed to be short and sharp updates on the RJSA activities and what is happening in the Queensland agricultural jobs and skills space. See the RJSA web page HERE.

1. A strong & thriving agricultural sector will deliver Queensland jobs. QFF has outlined its plan to grow the already 60,000+ Queenslanders directly employed in agriculture and 315,000+ throughout the supply chain. QFF statement HERE. Election platform HERE. 
    
2. The RJSA has been successfully prosecuting a business case with DET to change the eligibility criteria for farm employees wanting to upskill through the Farm Business Management course. Details HERE. 
    
3. The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) continues to successfully assist agribusinesses with their labour and training issues. See the February 2016-October 2017 report outlining the network's progress and results HERE. 
    
4. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) recently reported on updated employers’ use and views of the VET system to May 2017. See the National, Queensland agriculture's snapshots from the RJSA HERE. Find the Cert III & Cert II Rural Operations units review HERE. 
    
5. More than 80 women participated in workshops hosted by QFF across regional Queensland aimed at exploring and supporting farming women’s business development and leadership aspirations. See the wrap up HERE. 
    
6. The 2016 Census has found that agriculture employs 60,608  people in Queensland, an increase of 9% compared to 2011. This means 5,189 more people employed in agriculture. See the RJSA's full census data analysis HERE.
    
7. Over 90 extension officers and advisors have attended QFF & Queensland Government Reef extension workshops to improve their skills to support farmers improve their on-farm performance. Details HERE. 
    
8. Career Harvest aims to be the “go to” site for food and fibre career information in Australia. It provides scholarship and internship information and career pathway information attracting more than 20,000 individual users. Details HERE. 
    
9. QAWN officer Julia Wheway has been working closely with the Whitsundays Employment Action Network (WEAN) in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie to support affected farmers. Details HERE. 
    
10. There are many benefits to employing people with disabilities including increased production, quality work environments and beneficial customer relationships. See the guide to employing people with disabilities in agriculture HERE.