Tertiary students and young professionals with an interest in agriculture are encouraged to apply to take part in a five-day training course focused on the Western Australian sheep industry.
The Sheep Supply Chain training program will run from 20-25 January 2019 and offers participants a mix of classroom-style lectures, discussions with industry speakers and interactive field trips.
Lectures will be delivered by University of Queensland School of Agriculture and Food Sciences Professor of Agribusiness Kim Bryceson.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development program provides an in-depth ‘walk the chain’ experience and builds an understanding of the sheep meat and wool industries.
Department Livestock Research, Development and Innovation Manager Gina McPharlin said the 2019 program was developed to ensure participants experience the supply chain journey of both lamb and wool from paddock to consumer.
“Successful applicants will have the opportunity to learn about the intricacies of the industry, from understanding how business processes add value, to speaking with key industry practitioners,” Ms McPharlin said.
“Participants will ‘walk through’ the sheep meat and wool value chains, from producer through to processor, retailer and exporter.
“This experience will allow participants to gain working knowledge and to network and share ideas with senior industry practitioners and experts within the WA sheep industry.
“The focus on wool has increased for the January 2019 training, broadening the content beyond sheep meat which has been the focus of previous training rounds.”
A ‘challenge’ assignment will be given to participants at the beginning of their training in which they will be asked to think of new ways of value adding to either the lamb or wool industry. Participants will present their ideas to a panel of industry leaders on the final day.
Training programs conducted in 2017 and 2018 attracted positive feedback from participants for providing practical insight and for stimulating innovative thinking.
Applications are now open. For further information and application forms, visit the website.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937