Professional development to the build capacity of agricultural consultants for the livestock sector.

Summary

The professional development project was established in 2010 to support 20 young and emerging advisors and consultants to develop their business skills and capacity to provide services to the livestock industries.  The project was designed to provide additional support and professional development for students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture (Agricultural Consulting) and other personnel in consultancy firms, agribusiness and agency organisations.
Over the 3 years, the professional development project engaged 49 livestock industry advisors and consultants in 12 activities designed to develop their professional, technical and personal skills. 
Of the 49 participants, 22 were private sector consultants, 12 were enrolled in the Sheep CRC Graduate Certificate in Agriculture (Agricultural Consulting) and 4 were undertaking other post graduate studies.  During the period of the project, 7 of the participants started businesses providing livestock industry advisory services.
Evaluation of all the activities demonstrated their value to the group. The group’s post project reflections indicate strong support for professional development activities of this kind.  The group particularly valued the opportunity to network with like minded professionals and learn from each other.
​This project has provided some important insights for planning future investments to secure a vibrant and competent advisory sector (both public and private) to support the sheep and cattle industries in the future.