This program established a Masterclass in Protected Cropping at Western Sydney University, with 285 students enrolled in at least one of four protected cropping courses since its inception in 2020.

Challenge

This program’s objective was to fill an identified gap in training future leaders in the Australian protected cropping industry. It achieved this by developing and delivering a suite of subjects that would be offered as a one-year Masterclass in Protected Cropping, a unique and comprehensive program.

Response

The Masterclass included enrolment in, and articulation to, a range of graded qualifications, culminating in a six-month Graduate Certificate, a one-year Graduate Diploma, a two-year Master of Science (MSc) Greenhouse Horticulture major, and micro-credentials (1-3 subjects). Along with the associated course subjects such as Industry Project and MSc Research Project, four major core subjects were designed in collaboration with Hort Innovation and industry partners they are Greenhouse Crop Production, Plant-Climate Interactions in a Controlled Environment, Advanced Greenhouse Technology, and Greenhouse Control Systems.

The course, a result of industry collaboration, includes a combination of flexible online learning modules and intensive on-site workshops to align with the likely availability of time-pressured industry employees. Students are provided internship opportunities with some core industry partners to facilitate work-integrated learning. The industry’s active role in the development of the course content ensures it meets market needs. Participants who complete this course could potentially help to meet the high demand for skills and leadership in the Australian protected cropping industry.

The course program is now self-sustaining through student enrolments and industry support through scholarships and internships. It fosters ongoing and/or new relationships with the industry and produces industry-related publications that warrant future R&D.