New course hones Ag Consulting skills - 18 June 2009
For the first time in Australia, a specialist course has been established for practising or intending agricultural consultants and advisors.
Beginning in late July, the Graduate Certificate in Rural Science (Agricultural Consulting) course is expected to attract applications from a wide variety of professionals and graduates covering all agricultural and natural resource management sectors.
The course is being delivered by the University of New England and the Sheep CRC.
CRC Education Program Leader, Prof Steve Walkden‐Brown, says "The Sheep CRC and UNE have intentionally built this course to fill a real and growing gap for consultants and advisors right across agriculture and particularly to support increased production and profitability in the sheep industry.
"The key will be increasing the capacity of agricultural consultants and advisors to assist this productivity growth. To encourage sheep industry professionals to undertake the course, the Sheep CRC has also provided four scholarships which will cover over half the course costs," he said.
Sheep CRC Training Project Leader, Lu Hogan, says "There are two core units that address actually running a consultancy business and providing advice for the client’s business, both available through distance education.
CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351