Education and Training

Benefits of learning

Education and training are the keys to "getting ahead" and will be increasingly important in the future. The direct and indirect benefits of further education and training are well established, and may include one or more benefits at the individual, enterprise and regional levels. For example,

a) Individual benefits

• Higher wages and earnings
• Increased opportunities for winning and keeping a job
• Qualifications that lead to a better job
• Increased options for self-employment and diversification
• Better prospects for employment on other fields or geographic regions

B) Enterprise benefits

• Improved productivity and profitability
• Increased responsiveness to market expectations
• Reduced risk and/or enhanced customer satisfaction
• Greater adoption of sustainable land management practices
• Easier access to finance for development
• Increased options for self-employment and diversification
• Improved natural resource management
• Greater capacity for innovation and managing change
• Retaining the next generation
• Leaving a better legacy

C) Regional benefits

• Retaining the next generation
• Capacity to strengthen and revitalize rangeland communities
• Leaving a better legacy

 

While there are a variety of agriculture and environmental studies programs currently available throughout Australia from universities, colleges and TAFEs, none specifically align with the broad array of economic, environmental and social skills and knowledge that will be required for future success in the rangelands.

Rangelands Australia has reviewed the educational programs, courses and learning opportunities currently on offer and is revising, updating or developing courses more aligned with future needs. These courses will be designed and developed in partnership with experienced managers, scientists and other stakeholders to meet expressed needs.

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What's needed for future success?

We've asked more than 400 people across Australia with an interest in the future of the rangelands three important questions relating to individual, business and community success in the rangelands...

1. What will the rangelands be like in five to ten years?
2. Which personal qualities are required for success in this future scenario?
3. What areas of knowledge will be necessary for future success of our rangeland enterprises, our rangeland managers and the people who will be supporting them? (e.g. advisors, facilitators, consultants, etc.)

A brief summary of what stakeholders told us follows.

1. What the rangelands will be like in five to ten years
In the future scenario for the rangelands, proactive market-focussed and environmentally conscious businesses will be the most successful. The people involved in these businesses will have strong personal qualities and be knowledgeable in a number of important areas. The overwhelming majority (99 percent) of people consulted think that there would be significant change over the next five to ten years in the rangelands. These changes would involve both the nature of enterprises as well as their operating environment.

A more detailed analysis has been published in 2003 (see below).

2. Personal qualities needed for future success
A wide range of personal qualities was identified as critical for an individual's success in the rangelands in five to ten years. The top eight qualities include:

1. Commitment and passion for the rangelands
2. Sensitivity to other values and aspirations for the rangelands
3. Strong interpersonal skills
4. Adaptability
5. Strong communication skills
6. Practical nature
7. Open mindedness and a positive attitude to change
8. Willingness to learn

A more detailed analysis was presented at Beef Australia in April 2003 entitled "Key Ingredients for Industry and Individual Success in the Rangelands" and at the International Rangeland Congress in July 2003 entitled "Building capacity in Australia's Rangelands". To read the paper presented at the IRC, click here. (60k pdf, requires Acrobat Reader)

3. Areas of knowledge for future success
The areas of knowledge necessary for successful rangeland managers were defined as "the things that people would need to know about and be able to do" in the future. The top ten for future success include:

1. Business management and planning
2. Marketing
3. Understanding of natural resources and rangeland systems
4. Stakeholder values and perceptions
5. Recruiting, managing and coaching people
6. Communication, negotiation and conflict management
7. Monitoring and managing for multiple uses
8. Landscape processes and function
9. Diversification
10. Cultural and historical appreciation

These and other findings are being used to develop more relevant education and training to meet future expectations of the rangelands.

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Learning in the bush - real life stories

(Under development)

Student experiences

(Under development)