National Agriculture Day (AgDay) on 19 November, is rapidly approaching and in addition to celebrating the remarkable contributions of Australian Agriculture will highlight the varied and exciting career opportunities available in agriculture.
The theme of this AgDay is ‘Choose your #AgVenture’ showcasing the agricultural industry in Australia and challenging Australians to consider career opportunities in the industry. “There is a job for everyone in agriculture – whether it’s riding the boundary fences of a Top End cattle station or breeding the next breakthrough wheat variety in an inner-city laboratory, Australians really can choose their own #AgVenture,” NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.
“The quintessential farm jobs that have in many ways defined agriculture are still there and new entrants are desperately needed. Jobs like shearers, roustabouts, station hands, header operators and stock truck drivers.
“And, there are many other jobs, lots of which can be city- or country-based, that aren’t on-farm but which are vital in the farm supply chain. Careers in fields as diverse as finance, digital technology, science, marketing, trade and policy development,” Mr Mahar said.
“No matter what your interest, where you live (or want to live) there are rewarding, fulfilling, and diverse jobs waiting for you in agriculture.”
Virtual Learning Opens Gates for Agriculture Career Opportunities to Metro Schoolkids
Virtual learning developments over 2020/21 have already begun to highlight the opportunities in agriculture to primary students across Australia with dial-a-farmer, a virtual program zooming rural farmers into the classroom. By exposing metro students to agriculture the program hopes to inspire them to become a part of the industry.
Australian farmers invest $3.3 billion a year in research & development, opening avenues for new technologies and techniques. The rapidly changing nature of agriculture in Australia means that the opportunity to become a part of Australia’s industry of choice can be open to people from all backgrounds, and most higher education qualifications can be applied in the field.
Careers in the agricultural industry are incredibly varied. Currently, over 313,000 people are employed in agriculture, which accounts for about 2.4% of the national workforce.
Australian Government Commits to Agriculture
AgATTRACT, announced in the 2021/22 Federal Budget, is an Australian Government initiative to help the agricultural sector secure, skill and build the ag workforce.
AgATTRACT provides for:
- $5.1 million in administered funding for AgCAREERSTART pilot – a structured and supported gap year in agriculture for school leavers
- $7.3 million in administered funding for AgUP pilot – a grants program to support industry-led projects that create opportunities for upskilling and career progression
- $1.3 million in administered funding for research on community views and worker experiences of the agriculture sector
- $1.5 million for ABARES to improve agriculture labour forecasting
- $4.2 million for the Australian Bureau of Statistics to update agriculture occupations in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations and to get a better picture of agriculture workers
- $2.7 million for the National Careers Institute to ensure career information reflects modern agriculture occupations with the development of an up-to-date map of careers and pathways.
The government hopes that this investment will help support the sector build towards the $100 billion Ag2030 target.
The Lucas Group
As an agricultural recruitment firm, The Lucas Group believes that the people working across the agri-industries will ensure our bright future. To register your resume and details with us for future career opportunities in agriculture fill in the form here. If you’re ready to start looking at your next move in agriculture have a look at our Available Jobs.
Sources: ABC, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, National Farmers Federation
Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash