Grains industry leaders: it’s time to step up

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is seeking out grain growers and industry professionals across Australia who wish to take the next step in their careers.
The GRDC is offering an opportunity for growers, agronomists, consultants, grain buyers, researchers, industry group representatives and others to undertake its Resilient Grain Leaders program.

 
This skills and capacity-building initiative, delivered for the first time in 2014, is designed to assist in the development of highly skilled and confident grains industry leaders.

 
GRDC Senior Manager Extension and Training, Darren Hughes, says the Resilient Grain Leaders initiative has been established by the GRDC to foster enhanced skills and capabilities within the Australian grains industry.

 
“The success of the grains sector is very much dependent on not only resilient crops, but also resilient people,” Mr Hughes said.

 
“Investing in people is a priority for our grains industry which must constantly work hard to attract, retain and up-skill quality people who have the credentials needed to drive the industry forward for years to come.”

 
To be delivered by Rural Directions Pty Ltd, this year’s program commences in April with an online webinar and will involve three regional workshops in July in Dubbo (NSW), Perth (Western Australia) and Mildura (Victoria), followed by a joint workshop in Adelaide in March 2016.

 
During the course, for which places are limited, participants will achieve learning outcomes such as:

• Develop and apply strategic planning skills;
• Develop an understanding of what contributes to an effective team;
• Recognise the value in understanding personality types and and how to effectively work with diversity to maximise team performance;
• Understand the purpose of effectively matching leadership style to individuals and situations in developing a supportive team environment;
• Develop resilience, flexibility and confidence in dealing with change; and
• Develop time management and delegation skills to effectively work within and lead a team.

To be eligible to participate in the program, applicants must be working and engaged in the grains industry, be mid-career and be willing to commit to all program activities.

 
Participants will be selected via a short-listing process based on the eligibility criteria and information submitted with the applications.

 
Applications close at 9:00am (AEDT) on March 20 this year.

 
Further information about the program is available from Rural Directions by phoning 08 8841 4500 or emailing Natasha Morley at nmorley@ruraldirections.com or visit www.ruraldirections.com/rgl