In 2006–07, the development of ‘The Cotton Field to Fabric Training Course: Managing for Quality’ was finalised through the collaborative work of Rene Van der Sluij (CSIRO), Geoff Dunlop (NSW TAFE) and Mark Hickman (QDPI&F). This three-day course is held at Geelong (Victoria) CSIRO Textile and Fibre Centre. A total of 95 participants attending during the 12 months, with representation from most parts of the domestic production chain (from growers to spinners). There has also been a notable attendance of participants from south-east Asia. In recognition of this significant contribution to extension, the course and its development team were awarded the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC ‘Impact on Adoption’ prize in August 2007.
A Cotton and Grains Irrigation Management course has also been developed over the last 12 months. Funding for the project has come from the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation and David Wigginton (Knowledge Broker NSW DPI) was employed to lead the project. The course has been developed by David Wigginton, Peter Smith, David Williams (all NSW DPI), Emma Brotherton, Graham Harris and Mark Hickman (all Queensland DPI&F). This is an innovative course as it is mapped to national training competencies, an irrigation certification program and the Land and Water module of the Australian cotton industry BMP guidelines. This course is providing a good example of further training platforms.
Workshop series Flier:
Cotton and Grains Irrigation Workshop Series: Recognition for your skillsFinally, during the 2006–07 season Mark Hickman was actively involved with Ralph Leutton (Cotton Australia) and Neil Jacobsen (Cotton Australia Project Manager) in developing a skills Recognition, Training and Career Pathway model for the industry. This involved the alignment of national competencies from the Vocational and Technical Education sector into key areas known as Cotton Seed (Certificate II), Cotton Basics (Certificate II-III), Cotton Intermediate (Certificate IV) and Cotton Advanced Certificate (IV-Diploma). NSW Farrar Memorial Agricultural College delivered the Cotton Basics modules to 34 Year 11 students. As National Cotton Training Coordinator Mark, coordinated and presented at an event called ‘Cotton Basics Train the Teacher’ program. Teachers representing schools from Moree, Narrabri and Tamworth attended the event.
The Cotton Industry Skills Development Pilot Program funded by NSW DET and managed by Cotton Australia developed a set of resources for pre vocational training that schools participating in the VETiS program could access.
Cotton Basics is a Certificate II in Agriculture (specialising in Cotton production)
Resources that a teachers can use to implement the program within the school curriculum -
www.skillsonline.net.au . :
Cotton Basics Cotton Intermediate Skills Recognition program information sheet Cotton Australia
Mark Hickman
National Cotton Training Coordinator
Cotton CRC Subprogram Leader (Specialist Extension)
Principal Development Extension Officer
Sustainable Farming Systems , Plant Science / Delivery
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland
Cotton Catchment Communities CRC
PO Box 102, Toowoomba QLD 4350
ph 07 46 881 206
fax 07 46 881 472
mobile 0407 113 096
mark.hickman@dpi.qld.gov.au
