B.FLT.8201 - Development of the Feedlot Industry Training Portal (Sub-project 1)

Summary

The MLA-funded project B.FLT.8003 Feedlot Industry Training and Leadership Development Strategy (2016) identified a need for more accessible training materials and courses to be available to feedlot employees in Australia. The regionality of feedlots makes it difficult for staff to obtain the necessary training and qualifications to perform their roles. The aim of this project is to create a highly accessible Portal (termed Feedlot Tech) for the delivery of training materials, and simultaneously create a portal for training providers to deliver the relevant courses without the need for trainers and assessors to be on site. Sub-project 1 in the Feedlot Career Development and Training (FCDT) Pathway will plan and build an online training portal, integrating a public materials library. After the completion of the training portal, on-going technical support will be given for a pre-determined period to ensure that all systems are operating effectively and any and all issues are rectified before hand over to MLA and ALFA. The development of an online training portal for Australian feedlots can ensure staff will be provided with the most up-to-date and relevant training.

Objectives

The overall outcome from this project will be the creation of a clear pathway for skills and career development for the Australian Feedlot Industry.

The development of a training portal that delivers associated training, professional development and support networks will improve opportunities to attract, retain and grow a professional and skilled workforce for the feedlot industry.

The primary objectives are:
1. Develop a framework for a ‘one stop shop’ learning management system.
2. Build a training portal that is engaging and fit-for-purpose.
3. Populate the portal with information, training resources and opportunities identified in sub-projects 2 and 4, including links to endorsed training courses and providers.
4. Have the portal ready for launch at Smart Beef 2021 (Dates TBC, generally Sep/Oct).
5. Provide ongoing technological support for the training portal for three years after launch of the portal.
6. To provide MLA and ALFA with recommendations on ways the training portal can be efficiently managed, refined and expanded over time as program requirements change.
7. To provide MLA and ALFA with recommendations on ways to capture data from the training portal to track training records of users and use these as the basis for a passport style system.

Key findings

The Feedlot Tech platform was successfully developed and its ownership and management novated to the Australian Lot Feeders' Association.

Benefits to industry

The Feedlot Tech Portal managed in consultation with ALFA, will continue to improve the skill base and capability of the Australian feedlot industry. Training is critical to the ongoing success of the industry.

MLA action

The Feedlot Tech Portal was launched in October 2021 and is available to all grainfed stakeholders and MLA members.

Future research

MLA continues to invest grainfed levies in online course development for the Feedlot Tech Portal.