Vegetable Young Growers Tour 2012-2014
17 August 2015A review of knowledge gaps and compilation of R and D outputs from the Australian Potato Research Programs
20 December 2015The project report for VG14061 presents a gap analysis of education and training for the Australian vegetable industry. The study included a review of education, training and learning in agriculture and the potential impact of training and education on profitability. We conducted an evaluation of previous studies to identify potential strategic gaps. Formal education and training courses, and education and training approaches taken by other industries were investigated. The results from these investigations were tested and validated through consultation with industry. This enabled us to complete the gap analysis and make suggestions for future training delivery. Our full report provides detailed outputs and outcomes, as well as a compressive synthesis and set of recommendations to Horticulture Innovation Australia. The main recommendation is that, based on our analysis, vegetable levy payers should invest in targeted training for vegetable producing businesses. Based on an analysis of the training needs of vegetable businesses we identified that the previously proposed Vegetable Academy model does not fully meet the needs of vegetable levy payers. Following consultation and a review of approaches taken by other organisations we have proposed an alternative approach to education and training. We identified that training has to be tailored to the needs of specific groupings within the industry, rather than using a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. The groupings and their needs are described in detail in this report. Relevance, ease of access, responsiveness, timing and flexibility are important overarching criteria. We learned that a successful training initiative has to take a ‘producer driven’ approach. We therefore recommend a process that essentially mimics that used for determining RD&E projects to design and implement targeted training. This means i.e. vegetable producers, groups of producers, providers of formal or informal training and industry organisations The following three sections summarise important outcomes and recommendations on the approach to be taken as well as training design and delivery.