Dairy Australia subsidy reduces cost of NCDEA short courses

Friday 27 May 2011 | From Dairy Australia

The National Centre for Dairy Education Australia/GOTAFE has reduced the cost of short courses at both Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels across Victoria.
For programs commencing prior to June 30 an additional subsidy of $125 per course from Dairy Australia means that the cost of each of these courses is further reduced to around $300 per person.

These courses cover a range of topics including:
• pasture management;
• breeding and reproduction;
• managing people;
• financial management;
• contingency planning/risk management;
• making decisions about your farm system;
• enhancing farm business performance;
• business structures and succession planning
• leadership development; and
• whole farm planning.
The courses have been designed with significant input from industry.

“Dairy Australia is committed to continuing the momentum of increased farmer participation in NCDEA programs while the Victorian Government reviews the impact of its fees policy changes,” John Weichert from Dairy Australia said. “We will also be considering and responding to the potential roll out of the Victorian style fees policy in other States. We are putting levy money back to individual farmers and their staff to support their enrolment.”

The cost reduction makes undertaking training more affordable, and people in the dairy industry can choose to take part in training in areas of their specific interest or skills gap. They can also use their individual course achievements to build to qualifications if they wish.

Dairy Australia and flood-affected Regional Development Programs are also working on recovery strategies to further reduce costs to farmers.

Government and industry have made these training opportunities more accessible due to the need to have more highly skilled and qualified people within the dairy industry workforce.

“The sustainability and growth of the dairy industry is dependent upon having the right people with the right skills. The industry has become more complex over time so it’s critical to have people with the knowledge, passion and vision to drive the future of the industry and developing their capability will best position people for this challenge”, Dairy Australia Group Manager Farm Productivity and Delivery, Steve Coats, said.

“These courses are designed to help people make better decisions; contributing to the profitability and sustainability of the businesses they run and work in. These courses also build to full qualification. Both the NCDEA Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Agriculture have been designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to undertake a range of leadership and management roles.”

For more information about the subsidies or Diploma/Advanced Diploma in Agricultural please contact the Customer Service Centre on 1300 0 NCDEA (1300 0 62332).
NCDEA Contact:
Peter Carkeek, NCDEA Executive Officer on 0419374445 or email pcarkeek@ncdea.vic.edu.au