Source: cottonaustralia.com.au
July 1, 2017 marked the start of the AgSkilled training strategy, the NSW Government’s $14.7 million investment in training for the NSW cotton and grains industries.
The funding was allocated following a joint application by Cotton Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), and will subsidise a broad range of vocational training for those with a genuine interest in the NSW cotton or grains industries. The first AgSkilled training kicked off this month with 26 employees from CSIRO Narrabri completing a drone ‘Flight Foundations’ course with AgSkilled-endorsed registered training organisation, UAVAIR.
Michael Braunack was one of the 26 participants from CSIRO Narrabri to take part in the course.
“It was some of the best training I’ve ever done – the training covered the essentials of drone operation and included some very pertinent practical tips for when using the technology and analysing drone data,” Michael says.
“The training was very valuable for the researchers here and we can all see the potential to use this technology in the future.”
Michael says he would absolutely recommend this course to others in the industry.
This week also marked the start of Tocal College and CottonInfo’s new Cotton Pest Management Course in Moree. 20 local agronomists and farm staff began their two-day interactive classroom session, with a half-day field session to follow mid-season, followed by a half-day wrap-up session later in the season. While the upcoming Narrabri workshop is already full, there are still places left at Warren (September 13-14) and Griffith (September 19-20). Contact your local CottonInfo Regional Extension Officer for more information.
Cotton Australia and the GRDC are working closely with the NSW Department of Industry to guide the AgSkilled project to ensure all training meets the needs of the cotton and grains industries.
To discuss how AgSkilled can support training in your business, contact AgSkilled Project Officer, Claudia Vicary: 0409 043 774 or [email protected]
If you’re heading to AgQuip this week, drop by the GRDC tent (site i24b), to discuss training opportunities under AgSkilled.