Powering dairy people outside the square

Monday 29 November 2010 | From NCDEA

Attracting, retaining and developing people and capability across the dairy industry will be taken to a new level this year when the new Dairy Industry People Development Council (DIPDC) swings into action.

The DIPDC was born from discussions across the industry, which recognised people development and capability building is greater than just vocational education and training via the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia and covers a range of activities and key stakeholders across the industry.

The Council, created by Dairy Australia and the Australian Dairy Industry Council, will replace the initial Industry Education Steering Committee.

The principal role of the DIPDC will be to provide high level strategic input into the dairy industry’s workforce (all farmers and people who work in the industry) and development strategy to enable policy and organisation alignment.

At the helm to ensure this happens, is Lynne Kosky – who comes with years of government experience in the education, training and employment space. Ms Kosky has held the roles of Minister for Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment and Minister for Education, Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Transport and the Arts for the Victorian State Government.

Dairy Australia Managing Director Ian Halliday said Ms Kosky would bring a tremendous background in education, training and people development and strong networks across both business and government organisations to the DIPDC.

Mr Halliday said the Council would be formed for an initial three-year period and would develop a three-year strategic plan, performance targets and indicators for the learning system and discussion and policy papers.

Dairy industry workforce development research, people systems thinking and innovation, alignment and balance of service provision including extension and education and accredited and non accredited training will be some of the areas of focus for the DIPDC.

Since being appointed late last year, Ms Kosky has been talking to many groups to find out what is needed and has been impressed with the dairy industry’s work in capability building.

“I think the new model is well developed and there has been some great work done to assess where the industry is at,” Ms Kosky said.

“The formal training side of people development is well developed, but we will look at any gaps and other courses, formal and informal. We will also look more broadly at how we can develop people through other support mechanisms so we can continue the passion and grow the skills and talent in various areas.

“It will be a lot of fun and will provide good opportunities and positive outcomes. It is an exciting time and it is nice to be a part of it.”

With her strategic experience and ability to step back and analyse situations, Ms Kosky is interested in scoping the next wave of opportunities for the industry and finding ways to develop and grow them.

She believes the dairy industry is a leader when it comes to education and development and the DIPDC will build a model other agriculture groups will take interest in.

“The dairy industry looks at ways to support and grow its people and not just protect them,” Ms Kosky said.

“The sense I get is people are keen to have discussions in the dairy industry. There is no reluctance to ask questions which is great. Farmers are hungry for information and there is a real keenness to grow and develop.

“But what is exciting for me is the commitment to research, understanding all the areas within this and using the findings to develop the industry. This may be second nature to the dairy industry but not to other industries.”

For more information visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au