Australian potato growers, support staff and the wider potato industry are set to benefit from a new, five-year workforce training and leadership program.

Funded by Hort Innovation and delivered by AUSVEG, the Potato Workforce Training and Leadership Program will address key areas of industry need by providing leadership development, tailored training, and targeted study tour opportunities for industry members, from emerging to experienced growers, and industry participants.

Potatoes are the largest vegetable crop grown in Australia by both production volume and value, making the industry a major contributor to Australia’s food systems and national economy.

However, like the wider vegetable industry, the potato sector faces considerable pressures in the form of rising costs, global competition, workforce shortages, and a lack of formalised succession planning. The need for enhanced leadership capability building, and an innovative future-focused workforce remain important industry priorities.

AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote said: “This new program will address key areas of need in the Australian potato industry by providing a coordinated program that supports potato industry participants – from emerging leaders to experienced growers – to undertake training and skill development, mentoring and study tours aligned with industry priorities.

Across a wide range of career stages and roles, Australia’s potato industry needs a capable and confident workforce and strong leaders, and this project will support that objective by providing professional development opportunities that help build the skills needed for long-term success in the industry.”

Hort Innovation General Manager Production and Sustainability Anthony Kachenko said: “By investing in programs like this, we’re supporting growers to build the confidence, capability and connections they need to tackle today’s challenges and plan for the future.”

Over the course of the five-year project, new cohorts of participants will take part in funded training and skills development initiatives, as well as networking opportunities across horticultural sectors.

Building on AUSVEG’s successful delivery of numerous capability development initiatives and industry study tours across the wider vegetable industry, the project will also provide opportunities for potato growers and industry participants to visit key potato growing areas internationally and learn about the latest innovations and new techniques to apply at home.

As the new program gets underway, AUSVEG has launched a survey for potato grower industry input to shape the study tour program and training courses. Program activities will be overseen by a Project Reference Group, comprising leading potato growers and industry participants.

The Potato Workforce Training and Leadership Program (PT24002) is funded by Hort Innovation using the potato (fresh) and potato (processing) research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government.