TasFarmers, Media Release, 2 July 2025
TasFarmers is calling on all political parties in the upcoming state election to support a $500,000 investment into funding an independent Agricultural Career Coach, designed to connect young Tasmanians with fulfilling careers in agriculture regardless of their background.
TasFarmers CEO, Nathan Calman, said too many young people are missing out on agricultural careers because they don’t see them as accessible unless they were born into a farming family.
“There’s a misperception impacting ongoing workforce shortages across the sector. A career in Agriculture should be seen as an option for every Tasmanian student, not just those with family ties to the land.
“We need a system that guides young people from school into meaningful roles in agriculture, and keeps them in the sector over time,” said Mr Calman.
The proposed Agricultural Career Coach would provide tailored advice to students from Year 8 onwards, supporting them through transitions between study, training, and employment.
Mr Calman said, “This model is different because, unlike institution-linked services, this would be a truly independent role, operated by TasFarmers, to ensure broad, unbiased guidance across all educational and vocational pathways.
“TasFarmers is uniquely placed to deliver this kind of offering with industry-wide support and engagement.
“We’re not here to promote one training provider over another; we’re here to help people build long-term careers in agriculture. That means listening to their aspirations and matching them with real opportunities both in education, training, apprenticeship and employment,” Mr Calman said.
The idea is informed by successful career coaching models in other sectors such as construction and defence. TasFarmers believes it’s time agriculture had access to the same tools to build and retain its workforce.
“This is a strategic investment. It will give the agricultural sector the same workforce infrastructure that other major industries already benefit from and help the industry reach the $10 billion farm gate value,” said Mr Calman.
TasFarmers is seeking $500,000 over three years to deliver the program and is urging all parties to include the funding in their election commitments.
