2007 Rural Trade Teacher of the Year Awards

THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling for nominations to recognise outstanding achievement under the ‘2007 Rural Trade Teacher of the Year Awards’, run in conjunction with the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence (the Institute). Three Awards – each worth $10,000 – aim to raise the profile of rural trade skill teaching and its importance to rural communities, while also providing fitting recognition and reward for our exceptional trade teachers. The three rural categories are: * National Agriculture Teacher Award. * National Horticulture Teacher Award. * National Conservation and Land Management Teacher Award. “Australian agriculture is facing unprecedented demand for skilled labour,” NFF President David Crombie said. “The sustainability of regional communities and businesses – including farms – are heavily reliant on the ability to provide interesting and rewarding employment opportunities. “Trade teachers are at the forefront of those opportunities. We want to encourage, recognise and reward excellence in an area that is, essentially, the breeding ground for skilled tradespeople servicing the farm sector. “The ability to attract, train and retain workers in rural trades serves the long-term prospects of employees, regional communities and the farm businesses that rely on them. We hope that these Awards will help increase the profile of Australian trade teachers and promote the vital role they play in growing our dynamic rural communities.” The Institute was established to help raise the profile of trades in eight industries where a critical labour shortage has been identified. Under the 2007 Rural Trade Teacher of the Year Awards, the NFF and the Institute are offering three Awards – each carrying a $10,000 prize. One of the three rural Award winners will be selected to compete against the remaining seven industries, and will be in the running to be named the ‘2007 National Trade Teacher of the Year’. Anyone who is currently engaged in the teaching of skills or a trade within agriculture, horticulture or conservation and land management at an Australian Registered Training Organisation, is eligible to apply. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 16 October 2007 on the opening day of the Australian National Field Days, held in Orange, NSW. The ‘Application Form and Guidelines’ are available from this website at: http://www.nff.org.au/read/2441757680.html[2007 Rural Trade Teacher of the Year Awards]. Applications close 21 September 2007. [ENDS]