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| Rural Industries |
Objective
To enhance the competitiveness and profitability of rural industries through the development of a strong network of highly capable leaders in an international context.
Background
Rural industries are experiencing a period of significant change in markets, infrastructure, significance in the national economy and political support. Leadership development is in its infancy in Australia, especially when compared with our international competitors. In general, access to advanced leadership development courses in Australia has been limited.
Research
RIRDC extensively consulted the rural community on the formation of the training program and drew upon the experiences of the Californian Agricultural Leadership Program and the Williamson Community Leadership Program. The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation then developed the training program as three sub-programs: the participants; the course; and the organisation and structure.
Outcome
The first program started in April 1993 with a one-day leadership course in the Kimberleys. During the next eighteen months, the participants spent a week in each of the five states and the ACT learning about subjects as diverse as production and conflict resolution. Included in the program is a two-week overseas trip to examine export opportunities in Asia. There were twenty-nine graduates of the first course which finished in September 1994.
Implications
The course program has received strong support from
the National Farmers' Federation and commodity peak organisations.
For an estimated cost of around $35,000 per participant, community,
industry and individual benefits should accrue over a subsequent
twenty to thirty years of working life.
RIRDC Project No: ARL-1A
DIRECTOR: Mr Mike Beckingham
ORGANISATION: Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
PO Box 4591 KINGSTON ACT 2604PHONE: 06 281 0680
FAX: 06 285 4676
Last updated: 10 October 1996
Copyright © RIRDC
Index of RIRDC Projects URL
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/compendium/93-94/index-b.html