The Hume Workforce Development Committee Hume Regional Development Australia

1. The Hume Workforce Development CommitteeHume Regional Development Australia Agriculture Labour Market Snapshot Workforce Planning Australia | March 2012

2. Agriculture Industry The Agriculture Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry consists of multiple sectors: Dairy Cattle Farming Forestry & Logging Poultry Farming Fruit, Tree & Nut Growing Sheep, Beef, Grain Farming Agriculture Livestock Farming Forestry Support Services Hunting, Trapping Aquaculture Mushroom, Vegetable Growing Agriculture & Fishing Services Nursery, Horticulture Production Fishing Nursery, Horticulture Production Crop Growing Deer Farming

3. National Industry Overview

4. Industry Employment • Employment in the Australian Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry is 329,914 people or 3% of the total labour force. Industry Employment Level February 2012 Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, February 2012 data.

5. Employment Growth • Over the past five years, employment in the industry has decreased at a rate of 1.5% per annum. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey cat. no. 6291.0.55.003 (DEEWR trend data)

6. Employment Growth by State • Over the next 5 years all states excluding South Australia and Northern Territory will experience negative employment growth. • Over the next 10 years it is forecasted that Agricultural employment will decline in all States.

7. Employment by Industry Sector • Sheep, Beef and Grain Farming is the largest sector of employment in the Agriculture industry. Source: Employment Level by Industry Sector (DEEWR Trend Data based on ABS Labour Force, Australia, Cat no: 6291.0.55.003 – February 2011)

8. Employment Growth by Sector • The decline in Agriculture employment has been most significant in the following industry sectors: • Fruit & Tree Nut Growing • Nursery, Floriculture Production • Other Crop Growing • Some sectors have remained stable (Hunting & Trapping, Deer Farming) while others have shown small growth in employment. These include: • Sheep, Beef, Grain Farming • Fishing • Aqualculture Source: ABS Labour Force Survey cat. no. 6291.0.55.003 (DEEWR trend data)

9. Projected Employment Growth by Sector • Projected employment growth in the Agriculture industry is 1.4% over the period to 2015-16. • Strongest employment gains are expected in the following sectors: • Dairy Cattle Farming • Other Livestock Farming • Forestry Support Services • Sheep, Beef, Grain Farming • Negative employment growth is forecast in four sectors: • Mushroom, Vegetable Growing • Hunting and Trapping • Fruit & Tree Nut Growing • Deer Farming Source: ABS Labour Force Survey cat. no. 6291.0.55.003 (DEEWR trend data)

10. Main employing occupations • The table below provides an overview of the main employing occupations in the Agriculture industry: Source: DEEWR Special Order based on ABS Labour Force, Australia, Cat no: 6291.0.55.003 – Calendar Year Average 2011.

11. National skills in demand • There is a national shortage of Agricultural scientists / consultants. • Employers experienced difficulties in recruiting agricultural technicians. Source: DEEWR Special Order based on ABS Labour Force, Australia, Cat no: 6291.0.55.003 – Calendar Year Average 2011.

12. Workforce Development Challenges There are several workforce development challenges facing the Agriculture Industry. Source: Agriculture Industry Skills Council, Environmental Scan 2011

13. Workforce Development Strategies • Employer culture, regional & industry leadership • Build employer capabilities in job design, effective work organisation, the notion of ‘employer of choice’ and high performing workplaces • Build sustainable, grass roots, regionally based ‘skills eco-systems’ • Grow industry peaks’ voice and coordinated action on skills & workforce development • Identify and promote industry champions, experts and intermediaries • Attraction of workers • Promote contemporary, science and technology focused industry image • Build attractive pathways into industry through national school curriculum, VET in schools and establishment of cadetships • Build clear, valued pathways into sustainable agriculture job roles for Aboriginal people • Adoption of higher level skills across the workforce • Diffuse higher level skills and knowledge across the industry through client centred, building blocks approach to delivery • Increase language, literacy and numeracy, digital literacy, and core skills of the existing workforce

14. Workforce Development Strategies • Adoption and diffusion of new research findings, innovative practice & technology • Drive greater adoption of CRC and RDC outputs through VET partnerships and extension initiatives • Continuously improve nationally endorsed qualifications, skill sets and units of competency to reflect latest skills and knowledge • Formalise articulation arrangements between vocational and higher education sectors • Workforce retention and effective skills utilisation • Drive widespread, formal recognition of workers’ existing skills • Increase and promote skill based pathways within and across sectors • Establish comprehensive demographic and occupational skills profile of existing workforce

15. Hume region

16. Agriculture in Hume • Many of Victoria’s major rivers are located in the Hume region and the availability of water close to its source is a major economic driver for the region. • With access to water from river systems and valuable groundwater resources, the Hume Region supports a large number of irrigation-based industries of national significance such as dairy, horticulture and viticulture, while also supporting large areas of dryland farming. • The region contributes to over 25% of milk production and 35% of fruit and vegetables grown in Australia. • The Murray Darling Basin Authority is currently in the process of establishing new limits (sustainable diversion limits) on the volume of water use. The impact of limits on the Hume region and agricultural sector should be assessed as part of any workforce planning efforts for implications on industry and occupational growth / decline. • The region also has a number of specialist abattoirs including JBS Swift, Gathercoles and Norvic Foods which process cattle, sheep, goat and deer meats. • According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the gross value of agricultural and horticultural production in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) is around $2.2 billion and accounts for 25% of the value of Victoria’s agricultural production. Source: Hume Strategy for Sustainable Communities 2010-2012, Skills Vic 2010

17. Employment in Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing by LGA Total Industry 10,615 (2006) 2006 Census vs. 2011 Census data TBC (2012) Wodonga Moira 122 (2006) 2286(2006) Indigo 612 (2006) TBC (2011) TBC (2011) Towong TBC (2011) 648 (2006) TBC (2011) G Shepparton 2421 (2006) Benalla TBC (2011) 586(2006) TBC (2011) Wangaratta Strathbogie 1034 (2006) 852 (2006) TBC (2011) TBC (2011) Alpine 556 (2006) Mitchell TBC (2011) 476(2006) Mansfield TBC (2011) 319 (2006) Hume Region Boundary Sub-region Boundary Local Government Area (LGA) Boundary TBC (2011) Murrindindi 703 (2006) TBC (2011)

18. Employment growth projections in Hume • According to Monash projections employment is expected to grow and level out over the period to 2016. • Average annual growth rate is calculated at 3%. Usage is restricted to the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and third parties undertaking work on behalf of Skills Victoria. Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies, 2011

19. Occupations • The top employing occupations in the region are as follows: Agriculture (Top 10 occupations by employment level Hume) Usage is restricted to the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and third parties undertaking work on behalf of Skills Victoria . Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies, 2011

20. Education

21. Occupation growth • Monash projections show variability in the top employing occupations growth over the period to 2016-17. • The most significant occupation (Livestock Farmers) will experience a decline. Usage is restricted to the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and third parties undertaking work on behalf of Skills Victoria. Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies, 2011

22. Industry Education attainment levels • VET education enrolment data shows an increase in course enrolments for the industry. Growth is being driven by the Cert IV, III, II level qualifications Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

23. Age profile of enrolments • Across all industry occupations growth in VET course enrolments has been spread broadly across age groups. • The largest proportion of enrolments comes from the 15-19 year old age group. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

24. Diversity of Enrolments • The diversity of enrolments has increased in the industry in Hume. • The strongest growth can be seen in the proportion of CALD enrolments. • Disabled enrolments have declined. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

25. Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Occupational VET Education Data (Hume) Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker Shearer Gardener (General)

26. Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker

27. Mixed Crop & Livestock Farm Worker VET Course Enrolments • Enrolments in VET courses have increased in Hume from 2008-2011. • Growth is being driven by the Cert III and II level qualifications. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

28. Mixed Crop & Livestock Worker Age Profile of VET Enrolments • The age profile of Mixed Crop & Livestock Farm Workers enrolled in VET courses has remained consistent to the increase in total enrolment numbers for the period. • The largest proportion of enrolments comes from the 15-19 year old age group. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

29. Diversity of Mixed Crop & Livestock Farm Worker VET Enrolments • There has been an increase in indigenous and CALD enrolments over the period 2008-2011. • Disabled enrolments have declined. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

30. Shearer

31. Shearer VET Course Enrolments • Shearer enrolments in VET courses have decreased in Hume from 2008-2011. Note: There is only one course of relevance to the shearing occupation. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

32. Shearer Age Profile of VET Enrolments • Despite a decline in enrolments, the age profile of Shearers enrolled in VET courses has shown an increase in youth age groups aged 15-19 and 20-24 years. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

33. Diversity of Shearer VET Enrolments • There has not been any diversity of enrolments for shearers over the period from 2008-2011. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

34. Gardener (General)

35. Gardener (General) VET Course Enrolments • Gardener enrolments in VET courses have declined in Hume from 2008-2011. • The Cert IV course in Agriculture has seen the greatest decline. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

36. Gardener (General) Age Profile of VET Enrolments • The age profile of Gardeners enrolled in VET courses has generally remained consistent to the increase in total enrolment numbers for the period. • There has been a significant increase in enrolments from those aged 65 and over. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

37. Diversity of Gardener VET Enrolments • There has been an increase in Disabled and CALD enrolments over the period 2008-2011. • Indigenous enrolments have declined. Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.

38. Findings

39. Findings and Workforce Planning Considerations • Employment in the Australian Agriculture industry is expected to grow at a rate of 1.8% p.a. over the next 5 years. The Agriculture industry in Hume is forecast to exceed this rate with an average annual growth forecast at 3% p.a. • What are the factors driving growth? • Growth is not evident in the largest employing occupations. What other occupations not included as part of this analysis are driving growth? • ‘Livestock Farmer’ is the largest occupation in the Agriculture Industry in Hume. This occupation is forecast to decline over the period to 2016. • Are employees in the occupation aware of the expected decline? • Are there currently strategies in place to redeploy these workers to other occupations experiencing growth? i.e. Gardeners.? • Why is there an increase in Agriculture VET Cert II and III courses? • Industry enrolments in VET courses have increased. • Are course enrolments in alignment with industry sectors / occupations experiencing growth? • There has been an increase in the proportion of CALD students enrolling in VET courses. • What is driving the increase in enrolments from CALD students? • Why have Disabled and Indigenous enrolments generally remained stable?