GPSA supports initiative to get students into grains careers
Nov 22, 2017
Grain Producers SA will provide $20,000 in funding for an initiative to deliver curriculum-linked activities that promote innovation and opportunities in the grains sector to South Australian school students.
The initiative – called Food and Fibre Education SA – uses best practice teaching methodology to engage students in years 5 to 12 in agricultural science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
GPSA Chair Wade Dabinett says with the need for more skilled labour in the grains industry, GPSA’s investment was important to inspire and attract skilled graduates, as well as point school students toward a career in the sector.
“We are investing in a suite of grains-specific activities to increase the profile of our industry as an important and attractive career option,” he said.
“At present, a career in the grains industry – both on-farm and off-farm – is not on many students’ radar and we need to be putting our case forward to ensure we can fill the positions we have available now and in future.”
Food and Fibre Education SA engages teachers, students and careers advisers in the science, technology, innovation and opportunities within primary production – including the grains, livestock, horticulture, wool and dairy industries – as well as support industries.
GPSA’s funding will support a Grains Expo for secondary students in July 2018, developing a grain-focused agricultural STEM workshop as well as a new resource to help students understand the subject requirements at school and pathways to get into grains careers.
Food and Fibre Education SA Manager Belinda Cay says GPSA’s support will enable the program to work with even more schools, including regional and metropolitan.
“Food and Fibre operates a range of programs in SA schools including science competitions, camps, professional development and student workshops. These are linked to the curriculum, are hands-on and show students that food and fibre careers are more than just gumboots and tractors,” Mrs Cay said.
“This program is important because a recent survey of 340 teachers found that the reason they did not include more grains content in their lessons was because they just did not think of it and they did not have the latest teaching or training to deliver ag concepts to students.
“Food and Fibre helps to equip them with the information needed to teach grains content and also reaches out to students to profile careers in the industry and get them excited and enthused about where the industry can take them.
“In 2017, our programs saw us work with thousands of students. Our Science Investigation Award, presented at the Royal Adelaide Show, involved 960 students alone.”
Food and Fibre Education SA is managed by communication and education consultancy AgCommunicators and is supported by the University of Adelaide, Grain Producers SA, The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Crop Science Society and New Holland.
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