Good business management practices are the key to a successful, profitable business. Farmers who are just starting out or wanting to take their business to the next level have an opportunity to strengthen their business management skills with funding from the Queensland Government to undertake the Farm Business Management Skill Set.
Here is Queensland Agricultural Workforce Network’s (QAWN) Central Queensland officer Lorelle Stables’s list of things you need to know about the Farm Business Management Skill Set Training.
What is the Higher Level Skills Program and who can apply?
This program helps individuals gain employment and careers in their chosen field, or transition to university to continue their studies by linking students and employers with heavily subsidised training in a Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diplomas.
To be eligible to receive the subsidy you must be an owner, manager or worker of a farm in Queensland and:
- be aged 15 years or over and no longer at school; permanently reside in Queensland, be an Australian citizen or New Zealand citizen
- not hold, and not be enrolled in, a certificate lV or higher level qualification, not including qualifications completed at school and foundation skills training.
What training is eligible for funding?
There are many Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications that are funded. Some that may be of interest include:
- Certificate IV in Production Horticulture
- Certificate IV in Warehousing Operations
- Diploma of Agribusiness Management
- Diploma of Production Horticulture
- Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management.
Is the Farm Business Management Skill Set covered?
Yes. The Higher Level Skills Program provides funding for the Farm Business Management Skill Set, which covers business planning, budgeting, risk management and succession planning.
The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) is currently partnering with NQ Powertrain (RTO 32302) and Rural Training Queensland (RTO 31258) to run training workshops in key rural locations throughout Queensland for the funded Farm Business Management Skill Set.
Farm owners and farm business managers who are keen to take up this great opportunity are invited to register their interest online now at https://www.growcom.com.au/farm-business-management-skill-set
For a full list of available subsidies, see the Queensland Training Subsidies List at: https://training.qld.gov.au/docs-data/strategies/vetinvest/subsidieslist
How much do I need to co-contribute?
A nominal co-contribution fee of $245 (non-concessional students) and $145 (concessional students) is required. The fee may be paid on the student’s behalf by an employer or another third party but cannot be paid by the training provider.
Is VET FEE-HELP available on Higher Level Skills Program courses?
If the training provider and qualification have been approved by the Australian Government, a VET FEE-HELP loan may be available to cover all or part of the cost of the co-contribution fee for a diploma or advanced diploma level qualification subsidised under the program.
See: www.training.qld.gov.au/training-organisations/funded-programs/higher-level-skills.html for more information.