The Australian Government is celebrating today’s National Agriculture Day with delivery of a $5.1 million grants program helping recent school leavers start a career in agriculture in their gap year.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said AgCAREERSTART would give recent school leavers opportunities, experience and skills to enter the agriculture sector and provide long-term pathways to agricultural careers.
“An agricultural gap year opens up a whole universe of amazing careers in this thriving, important sector, from livestock and cropping to technology, innovation and entrepreneurship,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Today’s National Agriculture Day is all about choosing your own Agventure.
“This new pilot program, to be delivered by an industry consortium led by the National Farmers Federation, is a structured employment program to help young Australians to start a career in agriculture in their gap year.
“It’s about encouraging young Australians to give working in the agriculture sector a go and provide a taste of what a regional lifestyle can offer.”
“An agricultural gap year is a crucial pathway to attract young Australians to agriculture,
creating long-term, meaningful careers.”
“People are our most important asset in agriculture, and we’re relying on them as we stride towards our ambitions Ag2030 goals of a $100 billion industry.”
National Farmers Federation Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the program would give school leavers training, support and experience in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector.
“This is a great opportunity for school leavers to give agriculture a go through a supported program. Participants will be employed by the agricultural sector under award wages, be fully supported throughout the pilot, including relocation assistance, ongoing pastoral care and provided accredited training in operational skills important to safely working on an operational farm,” Mr Mahar said.
“Agriculture today offers diverse and rewarding career opportunities, and this program will give participants training and insights into the rewarding, challenging and varied experiences that work on farms can offer through a placement with participating farms.”
“AgCAREERSTART will be innovative in its delivery and design and will ensure participants have the basic training they need to stay safe on-farm, succeed in their placement and progress into further training or employment in the agriculture sector.
