2019 LCI graduating class: (left to right) back row: Will Clark-Dickson, Moses & Sons, NSW; Jackson Adams, University of Adelaide; Georgia Reid, AgPro Management, WA; Michael Wellington, Bush Agribusiness, Queensland; Georgia McCarthy, Macquarie Franklin, Tasmania; Bec Clapperton, RCS, Queensland; front row: Tara Graetz, Rural Directions, SA; Jess Brogden, Southern Farming Systems, Victoria; Hilary Beech, Holmes Sackett, NSW; and James Macfarlane, Southern Dirt, WA.
Young people throughout Australia wanting to pursue a career as a livestock consultant are being encouraged to apply for the next round of Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Livestock Consulting Internship (LCI) program.
Applications are now open for the third LCI program, which involves successful applicants undertaking a two-year internship within established and reputable livestock consulting businesses, from January 2020 to December 2021.
Managed by Meridian Agriculture, the program is a partnership between MLA Donor Company (MDC) and participating consulting firms.
The group of interns who most recently completed the LCI program (pictured) officially graduated from the program in June this year, with 10 participants completing two-year internships with participating livestock consulting businesses throughout Australia.
MLA General Manager – Producer Consultation and Adoption, Michael Crowley, said the capability building program is designed to strengthen the succession of future livestock consultants for the private sector.
“The LCI program aims to provide ongoing support for producer decision-making, the delivery of industry extension programs and skilled one-on-one advice,” Mr Crowley said.
“It was established to help address the decline in extension services offered by public agencies by supporting private consulting businesses to overcome the substantial financial costs and time required to upskill graduates and, as a result, boost the number of new entrants to the livestock consultancy field.
“This nationwide program builds on the learnings from both interns and past employers, while addressing some key aims for the future. This way, the program will deliver the best possible results for consulting businesses, the red meat industry and for the intern participants themselves.
“As a result of the two previous rounds of the LCI program, 19 young industry professionals are now working throughout Australia, largely consulting to and working with the red meat industry.”
Mr Crowley said employers are matched with suitable candidates based on work activity, required skill sets and other employment related traits.
“The program provides a range of benefits for interns, including a supported and strategic plan to focus on developing the skills required to be a livestock consultant, tailored for each intern,” Mr Crowley said.
“As part of the program, interns are required to undertake professional hours and industry research projects, to give them a real-world understanding of the implementation of research and development. Each intern receives industry support to identify, develop and implement a relevant research project.”
Potential interns must meet a range of criteria including:
- Ideally aged between 22-30
- One to two years of life experience either working independently, travelling or expressing a level of independence and maturity
- Demonstrate a passion and an interest for consulting and/or change management within the industry
- Have a degree or tertiary education qualification
- If currently employed with the host employer, must have been with the business for less than one year
- Must be willing to travel or potentially relocate.
