Cotton and grains industries applaud launch ofAgSkilled 2.0 training programThe launch of a multi-million -dollar training program for farmers in NSW has been welcomed by the cotton and grains industries.
AgSkilled 2.0 is a $ 15 million, three-year NSW Government -funded, industry-led workforce development strategy. It aims to ensure thes tate's cotton, grains production, horticulture, viticulture and rice industries have a skilled workforce capable of meeting futurechallenges.
Th is major investment follows the success of the original AgSkilled program, which provided training opportunities for cotton and grainsgrowers in NSW.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the new program will boost the skills of farmers at a time when many are starting to recover fromdrought.
"The Australian cotton industry thanks the NSW Government for this valuable in vestment in our industry, and the other agriculturalsectors involved in AgSkilled 2.0," Mr Kay said.
"The original AgSkil led pro gram was a huge success and set a very high standard for the delivery of coordinated, high-quality trainingacross agricultural sectors. I am excited about the opport unities this second investment will provide our farmers in New South Wales.
"Ensuring our growers are highly skilled and afforded training opportunities is a priority for our industry, and I'm confident that ourgrowers will flock to AgSkilled 2.0 with the same enthusiasm and passion they showed during the original program. "Some of the courses to be rolled out through AgSkilled 2.0 will be advanced spray training, precision agronomy and work health ands afety.
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Managing Director Anth ony Williams said AgSkilled 2.0 would enable grainand cotton growers to continue to access industry -led, regionally located training to help equip agricultural workforces for the future.
"The initial AgSkilled program successfully identified and delivered a broad r ange of training courses - from machinery operation to riskmanagement and innovation - to agricultural employers and employees across regional NSW," Mr Williams said.
"The GRDC congratulate s the NSW Government on its decision to continue this important initiative, and we look forward to seeingAgSkilled 2.0 deliver for the rural sector.
"We believe this valuable, ongoing investment in education and t raining will further increase the capacity of agricultural workforces.
allowing growers, on-farm staff and the broader industry to better manage current and future challenges.
"The project is an excellent example of cross-industry collaboration to leverage a government -funded project and ensured tailoreddelivery to industry, which the GRDC places enormous value on and is a major gain for Australian agriculture."InterviewsClaudia Vicary, [email protected] 043 774Media c ontactsRobert Virtue, Communications Manager, Cotton [email protected] 843 018Toni Somes, [email protected] 622 645
