Australian vegetable growers have the opportunity to sign up for a unique vegetable industry specific people development program designed to promote the leadership skills of the next generation of vegetable growers, an AUSVEG spokesperson said today.

“Growing Leaders 2011 is the only national industry specific leadership program for the vegetable industry and has been informed and developed in consultation with and feedback from the industry,” AUSVEG spokesperson Andrew White said.

Registrations for the Growing Leaders 2011 program are being accepted up until the end of this week and the program commences in Brisbane on the 12 April. The first of the three sessions coincides with the annual AUSVEG National Convention in Brisbane.

“The course focuses on developing skills that participants can apply at three levels – personal, business and national industry. The 2011 Growing Leaders will also be involved in a six-month industry mission,” Mr White said.

“Participants in the program will have opportunity to network and connect with industry decision-makers prior to the AUSVEG convention, attend social events to develop understanding of the industry. The will also independently tour key industry sites to gain in-depth knowledge of the supply-chain.”

Jill Briggs, Program Manager and Facilitator said: “The program is a tremendous opportunity for growers within the vegetable industry to develop skills, gain knowledge and grow networks. The opportunity to connect with the AUSVEG Convention ensures that the participants in Growing Leaders 2011 will meet and network with many of the key stakeholders of the industry.”

Growing Leaders is a national leadership program funded through industry levies which are matched by the Australian Government. The program is managed and facilitated by Rural Training Initiatives and extends throughout six calendar months concluding in Canberra in October 2011.

Ms Briggs said Growing Leaders is designed for people wishing to take up leadership roles at all levels of the vegetable industry – workplace, supervisor through to industry representation.

“These roles maybe at a sector level or regional level but participants may also have national and international leadership aspirations. The focus, however, of the program is for participants to develop an understanding of how to impact positively, resulting in constructive outcomes for the vegetable industry at all levels,” Ms Briggs said.

The program is being promoted by the People Development program of the Vegetable Industry Development Program.

Vegetable growers interested in registering the program can contact Jill Briggs on (02) 6035 7284, 0409 455 710 or email jill@ruratraininginitiatives.com.au.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew White, Manager-VIDP Communications, AUSVEG
Ph: (03) 9822 0388, Mob: 0409 989 575, Email: andrew.white@ausveg.com.au.