Next generation - School to Industry Partnership Program long term funding

Issue:
Since 2004 AgForce has delivered a very successful program connecting young people at school directly with agricultural producers through school-based interactive events. It is currently funded through the Skills Unit at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The School to Industry Partnership Program (SIPP) has consistently delivered on its 2 objectives:

• to inform primary school students about the sources of their food and fibre through interactive school-based events
• to provide direct careers-related engagement between secondary school students and agriculture employers and producers, including emerging science and technology-based ag businesses.

SIPP is an excellent program, highly rated by all stakeholders and participants including Government Departments, schools and teachers. It is recognized by state and national agriculture educators as a successful, innovative and effective facilitator of school industry connections. SIPP has been delivering a professional program across Queensland and is the only program promoting agriculture to students in Queensland – yet SIPP has no guaranteed ongoing funding, despite operating on a very limited budget. This restricts the number and spread of interactions compared to the demand and imposes significant burdens on the two part-time staff currently employed. AgForce calls on all parties to recognise the tremendous need for this program and to ensure it is funded sustainably into the future. Previously funding has been provided across several departments and this may be a solution again.

Solution that AgForce advocates:
A more permanent funding structure for the SIPP must be put in place across responsible Departments.