Sheep Industry Business Innovation

Applications are now open for the Sheep meat value chain training program

Western Australia's sheep meat value chain

In a direct endeavour to increase professional capacity, the ‘Dedicated Value Chains’ component of the SIBI project has established a program of innovative training activities.

The intention of these activities is to create industry learning experiences for employees, professionals, undergraduates and recent graduates.

An initial five day training course was run over two weeks for DAFWA staff involved with the beef and sheep sectors, with some representatives from the industry that allowed participants to get an in depth understanding and experience of the intricacies of the sheep meat supply chain from paddock to plate.  Participants walked the chain at a processor, spoke to growers and visited Farmer Jack’s to get the ‘real time’ experience.

Also in partnership with Murdoch University, a one-day teaching program covering introductory subject material on agrifood value and supply chains will be delivered to 3rd year Animal Science undergraduate students in November 2016.  It will have a particular emphasis on the sheep meat industry of WA and become a key unit in the curriculum.  The course will be offered to all WA universities with similar disciplines over the next year.

Building on the program, an intensive training course has been developed for undergraduates and recent graduates with a genuine interest in the industry.  This will be offered as a free five-day residential course in the week leading up to Australia Day 2017.  Successful applicants will get the unique ‘walk-the-chain’ experience, as well as to network and share ideas with senior industry practitioners.

SIBI is also planing to offer a similar version to individuals already working in key roles within the WA sheep industry who are looking to broaden their knowledge and gain skills in the sheep meat value chain.

Applications are now open!  For more information visit the Sheep meat value chain training course webpage or contact SIBI’s Justin Hardy at justin.hardy@agric.wa.gov.au or call +61 (0)8 9892 8408.