PEAK wool grower body WoolProducers Australia has opened nominations for its ‘Raising the Baa’ Leadership in Agriculture Program.

The peak wool grower body said it has identified a gap in industry representative capacity building within the Australian wool industry.

“While there are a number of leadership programs that exist in the wool industry, there was no program that focused on enhancing the governance capacity of the industry,” WPA president Richard Halliday said.

To address the gap, WPA obtained a grant under the Commonwealth Government’s Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund for the ‘Raising the Baa’ program.

Mr Halliday said there are two separate components of the program that WoolProducers is accepting nominations for; the Australian Institute of Company Director company directors course and the WoolProducers Australia Youth Ambassador.

“We are seeking nominations from interested parties who have a passion for the wool industry and are active in any sector of industry throughout the supply chain,” he said.

WPA said the AICD Company Directors Course is a globally recognised qualification which provides participants with a thorough understanding of corporate governance.

The WoolProducers Youth Ambassador program is an opportunity for industry people aged 18-35 years-old to join the WoolProducers board as an observer for a 12-month period.

Mr Halliday said this concept is aimed at providing exposure and experience to young people who have an interest in industry policy development and agri-politics in general.

“The Raising the Baa Program enables future leaders of the wool industry to gain knowledge in compliance, risk, strategy, finance and the role of the board,” he said.

Course costs, accommodation and travel expenses will be covered. Nominees will be required to apply for these positions and all appointments will be merit based. Nominations close on April 23, 2018. For further information email [email protected]

Source: WPA.