$5.1 MILLION TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN AGVENTURE

• AgCAREERSTART pilot to give recent school leavers gap year opportunities in agriculture sector
• The gap year program will to be delivered by an industry consortium led by the National Farmers Federation

The Australian Government is celebrated 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 and kick off their personal Agventure.

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.

“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.”

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said that this was an important step in providing young Australians with a pathway to one of the new emerging careers in agriculture.

“Programs like this will ensure that our youth can kick-start their career in agriculture and continue living in regional communities across Barker as they progress their careers.

“It will also attract young Australians from urban areas to our region, give them work in the agriculture sector, and show them just how good we have it here in Barker.”

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.

To find out more and register your interest, visit here.

ENDS.