RAD Meat - Developing the talent of Red Meat RD&A professionals

Summary

The future of the Australian red meat and livestock industry depends on an adequate pool of highly skilled research, development and adoption specialists.

This project involved a comprehensive desktop review of capacity building programs and extensive industry consultation involving focus groups, a national survey and webinars.

A 'Research and Development (RAD) Meat Professionals Framework' was developed as part of this study, which is a 'people development strategy' for red meat industry research, development and adoption professionals.

Objectives

The objective of this project was to create a framework of activities to attract new entrants to the industry and to build a culture that supports, nurtures and encourages research and development professionals to make a long-term career commitment to the Australian red meat industry.

Key findings

• The RAD Meat Professionals Framework focuses on anyone studying or working in a role that contributes to the improved productivity, profitability, quality, safety or sustainability of the Australian beef, sheepmeat or goat industries.

• The Framework is built on four key pillars that support the education and continued improvement of professionals:

• Careers - an information pillar, which includes career information, career promotions and strategies.
• Ready - a range of initiatives and programs that will help students to be 'ready' for a career in the red meat industry.
• Skills - identification and coordination of ongoing skill development, training and professional development opportunities.
• Connection - a 'support' platform for networking, collaboration, mentoring and recognition.

Benefits to industry

Enhancing the human capacity and capability in research and development aims to ensure that red meat producers have access to an adequate number of dedicated and professionals across the value chain.

MLA action

This report has been used for input into further planning into MLA's education scholarships and also supported a proposal to better coordinate MLA's internal capacity to continue this work.

Future research

The key recommendation from this project is to develop a business plan and implement the RAD Meat Professionals framework to ensure that the red meat industry has the RD&A skills and capability to deliver on the red meat industry's strategic plan.