By LIZ RYMILL
A STUDENT-RUN careers fair and dinner aiming to link the next generation of Australian agriculture with industry leaders and tackle skills shortages in the rural sector will be held next month in Armidale.
The University of New England Farming Futures Committee will host the Farming Futures Careers Fair and Industry Dinner 2013 on Friday 2 August in Lazenby Hall at the University of New England, Armidale, from 10am-2.30pm.
Member of the Farming Futures Committee and Bachelor of Animal Science student, Felicity McLeod from Coombah Station in far western NSW, said the fair was building on the success of the annual event – now in its second year.
Ms McLeod said the careers fair and dinner aims to provide opportunities for agricultural and agribusiness companies to promote their graduate programs.
“We hope to inspire students to continue their agricultural studies and pursue a career in the Australian agricultural industry and facilitate networking opportunities for individuals and companies with an interest in agriculture,” she said.
The agricultural careers fair will be hosted in Lazenby Hall at the University of New England campus with agricultural companies from across Australia setting up stands and promoting their businesses and job opportunities within their companies.
The formal dinner will be held that evening in the ballroom at the Armidale Ex-Services Club and will feature several prominent guest speakers who have pursued careers in the agricultural and agribusiness sector, including dinner emcee Catherine Marriott, the 2012 RIRDC National Womens Award Runner-up.
Two other well-known agricultural industry guest speakers will feature at the dinner, with sustainable farming advocate and SANTFA president Kym I’anson and General Manager of Alltech Adam Naylor coming on board the event to share their insights into the future of Australian agriculture.
Since 2012, the Future Farming event has continually grown in size, with university students and staff, high school students and teachers, agricultural graduates, industry representatives and members of the general public attending from across the country.
For further information about the Farming Futures Careers Fair please contact Felicity McLeod: 0429 198 958, email ffutures@une.edu.au or visit the website: www.une.edu.au/farmingfutures/
