SHEEP meat producers have a week to apply for industry governance scholarships being offered by the Sheepmeat Council of Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia.

There are five scholarships available, valued at up to $10,000 each, and applications must be submitted before 5pm on Tuesday August 1 2017.

The scholarships are an opportunity for sheep meat producers to receive formal training in industry leadership and corporate governance, as part of the SCA-MLA initiative, ‘Building Leadership Capability for the Sheep Industry’.

The SCA said the initiative’s objective is to ensure the Australian sheep industry attracts and retains people with leadership skills to contribute to the long-term viability of the industry by developing industry capability and capacity.

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The governance scholarship is for producers to complete the company directors course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors. It includes all course fees and one year of AICD membership (paid direct to the AICD), travel to the course and accommodation and meals during the course.

The course is a five-day intensive program for board directors, aspiring directors or executives and focuses on the roles, responsibilities and skills required by directors and boards.

Sheepmeat Council of Australia CEO Kat Giles said strong corporate governance and board leadership skills are crucial to the future of the Australian sheep industry and the AICD Course is a great program to learn the skills important to SCA.

“Graduates learn key skills such as the roles and responsibilities of being a director, duties around risk, legalities, strategy, financial literacy and driving board effectiveness which is useful at a farm management level as well as representing the industry,” she said.

Scholarship participant in 2016 Bindi Murray took on the role of Lambex chair after completing the scholarship.

“I would encourage anyone with any interest in improving governance to apply.”

An application form and program flyer with conditions of entry are available online at www.sheepmeatcouncil.com.au/governance

For more information about the AICD company directors course, visit www.companydirectors.com.au

Source: Sheepmeat Council of Australia.