A joint project of the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is to involve 59 schools taking part in an agricultural learning program.
The 2020 Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools Program (AGISP) will use e-technologies to give schools access to the most up-to-date practices in agriculture.
AGISP is a partnership between schools, training providers, universities and industry, which helps young people move from school into further education or employment.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner acknowledged that in the current health environment there was a need to be creative and innovative when giving students access to agriculture learnings.
“The program has more than 30 mentors available to assist participating schools with advice on science, biosecurity, animal husbandry and setting up a farm,” Mr Furner said.
“In the immediate future, schools will be supported through online e-technologies.”
He said DESBT had increased its funding by $100,000 to $255,000 per year.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Training and Skills Development, Shannon Fentiman welcomed the expansion of the program.
“Making sure our young Queenslanders can undertake hands-on training while they’re still at school will set them up for a bright future,” Ms Fentiman said.
“This is a program that gives students a taste of an industry and links them with industry, giving them a head start in their careers.”
AGISP is funded by DESBT and administered by DAF.
