Funding Fills Skills Gap in Glen Innes
$19,310 worth of training brought to the Glen Innes region thanks to AgSkilled
Capacity building - LEP23-024-3
The issue
Access to satisfactory training for necessary qualifications in regional areas is a precarious situation. This is a position that the Glen Innes region finds itself in and is a gap where GLENRAC sees a constant need and aims to facilitate filling. Skills including First Aid, Faecal Worm Egg Count training and Chemical Card courses and the most enquired about in the GLENRAC office. These cards and certificates are required for most jobs on farm and many off farm. Agricultural businesses in the Glen Innes Severn Shire employ 20.9% of the shires workforce and are the largest contributor to the Shire’s economy. The necessity to have skilled labour in this region is significant.
The solution
Through the AgSkilled workforce training initiative, the NSW Government intends to “enhance education and training for the agricultural and livestock sectors”. Through an offer of expressions of interest, we were able to gauge the need for training in the three key areas. From these EOI’s we organised two Chemical Card training, one Faecal Worm Egg Count training day in September (springtime being the pertinent point of the worm season) and two First Aid training. Each of these training days were at capacity, showcasing the demand for these certifications.
The impact
61 people were able to attend and complete training in the fields of Faecal Worm Egg Counts, First Aid & Chemical Card. 28 attended a Chemical Card training, 18 completed a First Aid training and 15 attended a Faecal Worm Egg Count training. These courses were held across the months of September, October and November in 2024. This equates to $19,310 worth of training provided to the region, which would not have otherwise been possible without the AgSkilled funding and the Landcare Enable Program to facilitate the organisation and coordination of the events.
Learnings
The process to apply for the AgSkilled funding was meticulous and time consuming. As the facilitator we viewed the angst from both the persons applying for funding to do the course as well as the training providers who presented the courses. It was observed that some folks weren’t captured in the training session due to rigorous paperwork required to attend. Although a minor pain point, it is understood why the process is in place so that the funding isn’t abused and is shared around people, businesses and regions.
Being able to run these training sessions in the Glen Innes region enables us to utilise local community halls, employ community groups for catering as well as make possible quality social and networking opportunities.
Key facts
- 3 key training areas
- 61 participants
- Faecal Worm Egg Count
- Chemical Cards
- First Aid
- $19,310 worth of training brought to the Glen Innes region