AUSTRALIA - THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCY STANDARDS AND A TRAINING MODEL FOR THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY

In turn, higher productivity and quality in goods and services are largely dependant on a nations ability to produce both well trained workers, and organisations which enable employees in all areas and levels of the organisation to contribute to their potential.

In response to this concept, Australia has undertaken in recent years to restructure and reform its training system to one that:

• Is Competency Based
• Is National in respect of Recognition and Accreditation
• Eliminates Barriers to Training
• Provides Maximum Access

Key components of the new system that relate to Horticulture Training have been developed within Australia including:

1. Establishment of the National Training Board - whose purpose is to endorse, within a national framework, national competency standards endorsed by industry.
2. The McColl Report - a Review to examine the current provision of agricultural and related education, its effectiveness and make recommendations on its future development and demand.
3. The Australian Vocational Certificate Training System - outlines a staged strategy for meeting Australia's training needs in 2001 for entry level training.

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