The Australian vegetable industry is seeking its next generation of trailblazers with applications for the 2015 Growing Leaders program now open.

Now entering its seventh year, the Growing Leaders – National Vegetable Industry Leadership Program focuses on developing participants’ skills, and providing them with the knowledge and understanding, they need to get ahead in the vegetable industry.

“Growing Leaders provides up-and-coming members of the Australian vegetable industry with an invaluable chance to further develop their business and leadership skills and plan for the industry’s future,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Tamara Ungar.

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers.

“It is vital that we identify and nurture the next generation of leaders, and provide them with skills that will benefit not only their own professional development, but the Australian vegetable industry as a whole. Programs like Growing Leaders do precisely this.” 

The program exposes participants to exercises where they will learn about handling conflict, improved communication techniques, efficient meeting management, high performance team building, change management and media knowledge.

Throughout the nine day course which is staggered over six months, participants will also learn from a range of current industry leaders about how to achieve success in the Australian vegetable industry.

“One of the fantastic features of this program is that it has been designed in conjunction with industry leaders and tailored towards the specific needs of that industry, so the content in the program is highly relevant and useful for participants,” said Ms Ungar.

“Graduates from previous years have applied their skills in various areas including regional development, on industry association boards, reference committees and in effective workplace management.”

The course is free of charge to vegetable levy payers, but a fee of $1,200 + GST is required for vegetable supply chain participants. Industry up-and-comers are urged to apply now to secure a spot.

For more information on Growing Leaders contact admin@ruraltraininginitiatives.com.au.

Growing Leaders is funded by HIA and the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.


ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:  Tamara Ungar, Senior Communications Officer, Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0400 980 480, Email: tamara.ungar@ausveg.com.au