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Towards Professional Accreditation for Advisers and Consultants in Agriculture, Natural Resource Management and Related Sectors

A report for the Cooperative Venture for Capacity Building for Innovation in Rural Industries

by Dennis E Toohey

In cooperation with: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, the Dairy R&D Corporation, Meat & Livestock Australia, the Grains R&D Corporation, Land & Water Australia, the Sugar R&D Corporation, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the  Grape & Wine R&D Corporation
August 2002

December 2002

RIRDC Publication No 02/104    RIRDC Project No AIA-10A

Executive Summary

A project was undertaken to investigate the need and support for a National Accreditation Scheme for professional consultants and advisers in agriculture, natural resource management and related sectors. The project comprised focus groups and workshop activity from which the following outcomes emerged:

• professional accreditation has significant benefits for clients, the market and for the professional through improved professionalism, contribution to quality assurance and reduced risk;
• widespread support exists for a single national accreditation scheme that caters for the public, corporate and independent sectors;
• the scheme needs to: - have strong industry ownership and be coordinated by a national industry council; - incorporate both a generic skills and knowledge component and an industry specific component; - have rigorous standards, with a code of ethics and provision for de-accreditation; - build on existing accreditation programs; - be self-funding; - link to other appropriate international schemes; - have a distinctive and representative name and logo; - be evaluated regularly;
• the scheme would operate under a National Professional Accreditation Council which would: - determine policy; - review standards; - coordinate program implementation and compliance; - maintain a register of accredited professionals;
• a Steering Committee needs to be formed urgently to put the scheme into effect for 2003;
• the Steering Committee would have responsibility for: - developing the generic competencies; - seeking scheme start-up funds; - establishing the interim National Council and operating committees; - promoting the scheme to professionals, governments, industry, regulatory and environmental organisations, Austrade and other interested parties.
 

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Last updated: 17 December 2002
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http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/HCC/02-104sum.html