PICSE in the Media - Country Hour Story June 2011
ABC (Darwin)
NT Country Hour - 23/06/2011 - 12:18 PM
Stacey Milner
Station Ph: 08 8950 4711
Milner remarks that the agricultural sector is facing serious skills shortages, and it's keen to show that there are many job opportunities. Julia Holman reports from a conference in Canberra where business leaders are asking school students how they could get more people to work in their industry. The Primary Industries Centre for Science Education (PICSE) says the shortage in agricultural workers is putting Australia's food and water security at risk. Associate Professor David Russell, national director, (PICSE) says more students need to have hands-on experiences while they're at school. Peter Russo, CEO of the Australian Science Teachers Association, says more students would be interested in agriculture if science teachers were better supported. Arthur Blewitt, CEO of AgriFood Skills Australia, says contrary to the image of farm jobs being mainly in the paddock, it is highly skilled jobs in agribusiness and science that are most in need. Matt Cahill of Dow Agrisciences says agriculture is a growth industry, so they need more people and more young people as they have an aging work force. Cahill says the mining sector has attracted many young Australians with their high salaries, who could have otherwise worked in agriculture, but believes agriculture offers something else for those interested in science. Cray talks about being interested in science.
© Media Monitors 2011
Interviewees: Julia Holman, Reporter, ABC Rural [excerpt]; Bridie Cray (*), High School Student [excerpt]; Associate Prof David Russell, National Director, Primary Industry Sector for Science Education [excerpt]; Peter Russo, CEO, Australian Science Teachers Association [excerpt]; Arthur Blewitt, CEO, AgriFood Skills Australia [excerpt]; Matt Cahill, Spokesperson, Dow Agrisciences [excerpt]
Duration: 4:20
Summary ID: W00044281367
To hear the sound bite please click here.