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It also promotes policies and solutions that allow farmers to have the highest level of economic and social wellbeing (Australian Farm Institute, 2013). This research is conducted by leading academics and consultants both nationally and internationally; the goal is to promote the outcomes of their research to policy makers (Australian Farm Institute, 2013). The Australian Farm Institute’s research is overseen by experienced senior researchers and academics, thus the committee ensures the research is of the highest caliber and remains neutral.
The three key themes of research are; farm business, farm resources, and farm communities. The institution gives opportunities or Australian farmers and the agricultural sector to operate in a profitable and sustainable manner (Australian Farm Institute, 2013). Skill Shortages in Agricultural Sector This submission addresses the concerns of the skill shortages in the Australian agricultural sector. Currently the Agricultural sector makes up for 3 percent of Australia’s total gross domestic product (GAP).
The Australian agricultural sector sector employs over 1. 6 million Jobs to the Australian economy (National Farmer’s Federation, 2013). This industry has an ageing population and is becoming a concern or the future, with all the baby boomers forthcoming retirement, as of 2008 more than 30,000 farmers were 65 years and older (National Farmer’s Federation, 2013). Over the past 20 years farms have become much larger but decreased in total numbers dramatically.
Subsequently, the reduction in the number of farms and farming families has been the leading contributor to the population declines in the small towns that have traditionally serviced the farm sector. This is a scary thought for most knowing that in the years to come there may not be enough educated agricultural graduates to keep up with the high demand that the agriculture sector squires. Educating Future Generations The Australian agricultural sector is one of the most profitable and most important industries to the Australian economy.
Although it holds so many opportunities for lobs and careers it is the first to get overlooked by young people when they are choosing their future career paths. Agriculture is a knowledge intensive sector, with a strong demand for skilled professionals. Estimates indicate a potential demand for tertiary qualified graduates per year in the sector. However, the sector faces a significant underplays of graduates, with Australian universities graduating fewer Han 800 graduates per year in agriculture (Prattle & Copeland, 2008).
The lack of students choosing to go in to agriculture, is leading to a rapid decline in the amount of young skilled workers replacing the older generation that is quickly declining thereby compromising the future of the industry. ‘It is clear that agriculture is of low interest in comparison to other sectors; young people have poor perceptions of the agriculture sector and are searching for a higher level of skill and knowledge in more attractive sectors’ (Allen Consulting Group Pity Ltd , 2012).
The Australian government loud begin to implement training and educational seminars to grade school children. With that being said, the industry has not been well served by the spokespeople, talking the industry down’ and its leadership failed in the most part to promote the industry, build its reputation and to embrace education for the challenges ahead as other sectors have successfully done (Prattle ; Hay, 2010).
If children in the larger cities had the chance to be introduced to the rural and farming lifestyle and along with all of the different career paths available such as, business management, sales, and mechanical to name Just a few, this could increase he awareness of the opportunities that the agricultural sector holds and would assist in retaining the viability of the industry as a whole.
Although the youth already in the rural setting would have a base knowledge of the lifestyle and opportunities within the agricultural industry, the same can be said for the government ensuring this youth sector is aware of the career opportunities available to them. Moreover, it is imperative that the government provide a structure and incentive for the rural youth to stay rural – the lure away from the land and the excitement of city living and opportunities is a real threat.
With many sub-sectors in the agriculture sector; the government must work hard to create further awareness of the skilled career paths and the rewards young individuals may find in this complex sector. Shifting Rural Population career paths to choose from and is an ever-changing industry full of challenge and opportunity that is never dull . Regardless of these positives, the agricultural industry IS plagued with stereotypes due to the perceived rural environment people live in. Examples of these stereotypes are lack of variety, limited convenience to everyday teems, and a restricted social life.
The number of citizens moving out of rural areas and into big cities is a vital concern to farmers, the industry and for society as a Manhole. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, “The age structure of rural and regional Australia has changed significantly in recent decades. A feature of this change has been the diminishing proportion of young people (I. E. Those aged 15-24 [ears) in many of these areas. This reflects the continuing trend for young people to leave rural areas, and relocate to larger population centers.
A key factor in this event of young people is the greater availability of employment, education and training opportunities in urban areas” (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008). That being said, the government needs to inform and educate individuals, both rural and non-rural of all the advantages that living in a rural area entails. Government initiatives in conjunction with farming communities could implement work programs for individuals to fly in and out of rural areas creating an "off cycle” working schedule, much the same way that other sectors such as mining and other trade Jobs currently run.
In doing so, this would create incentives and opportunities for a younger generation to be able to work in rural areas but still have a life in a big city thereby keeping the population movement away from rural areas at a standstill because Norse would be coming and going each week. The result of which would be to ensure the future viability of a crucial Australian industry whilst providing a relief to Australia’s unemployment figures as well as to create a stronger rural community nationally.
Furthermore, this would assist in allowing Australia to maintain a strong standing in the international agricultural community. The Effects of Declining Rural rhea effects off declining rural population in Australia are many and serious. As stated previously, agriculture is an important part of Australia’s economy representing 3 percent of Australia’s total gross domestic product (GAP). Moreover, it accounts for over 1. 6 million Jobs thus affecting the unemployment situation of the country.
A declining population in rural Australia would not only impact on the economy with respect to Australia’s standing in the international marketplace but Mould put an enormous strain on the country to have rising unemployment as rural Weller migrate to the cities seeking Jobs and a life there. In the face of these Challenges, an important issue is for the agricultural sector to sustain productivity growth to meet future growth in global food demand and take advantage of emerging opportunities in world markets. Kim, Thompson, ; Penn, 2010) In addition to this, the produce that comes from rural Australia is necessary to feed the growing population of the country itself. Whilst Australia can and does obtain food from other countries, with decreased trading power through a decline in Australia’s agricultural sector, the cost to feed the country would sky rocket with a decreased economic standing for any country – Australia is no exception.
Therefore, economically speaking, Australia would lose the ability to trade for other goods, thereby exasperating a decline in Australia’s economy further that that caused directly by a loss of agricultural trade. Prices for other imported goods would rise putting a strain on the pocketbook of every Australian. Further to this, with a declining population in rural areas, other businesses within the rural community Mould suffer – local pubs, retail outlets, trades and services, schools, medical facilities, and the list goes on.
At the same time, the influx into the cities then creates further strain on the already burdened facilities and expansion of Australia’s major cities. The ever expanding cities of Australia would then have to cope with an even greater demand for Jobs, homes, roads, services, medical facilities, law enforcement to name a few. Suffice it to say that all areas of economy, locally, nationally and internationally would feel the effects with a long term result most undesirable.
Thus t is imperative that governments work with farmers; local business and local communities to both reduce population loss through admiration and develop initiatives to attract more people to the rural communities(Forth, 2002). The future of healthy Australia depends on it. Conclusion This submission has presented research into the skill shortages in the agriculture sector. The evidence above shows that the government needs to take immense steps and look further in to the agriculture sector, so that these problems come to a halt and work its way back up to becoming one of the top sectors.