Research provides youth insight into agriculture
December 2017
The Shire of Manjimup's Southern Forests SEED program will release a report by Youth Insight on 12 December 2017, exploring secondary student perceptions on agricultural careers and will provide valuable insight into how the agricultural industry can re-position itself to attract new entrants.
Youth Insight, the full service market research arm of student membership organisation Student Edge, adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach to students' attitudes towards the agricultural industry, living in regional areas and career pathways in agricultural education.
The research included an online survey of 500 secondary school students across Western Australia.
Shire of Manjimup president, Paul Omodei said "the research was unique in that it was asking young people what they thought of agriculture and what the industry needed to change to attract young people to explore careers and enter the workforce".
"A career in agriculture has a lot to offer, graduates are in high demand, salaries are increasing and technology is taking off but many secondary school students don't even know the industry exists," Cr Omodei said.
"What this report tells us is how young people find information about careers and what materials will make them take a closer look at agriculture."
Youth Insights co-founder, Craig Chetty, said this research was "ground-breaking".
"It's really exciting for the agricultural industry and for schools and careers advisors to now be armed with the right dialogue to reach students and pull them towards that career pathway," Mr Chetty said.
"It is so progressive that an industry has essentially flipped their traditional way of thinking over and are approaching the problem by starting with student perceptions. We have been in this space for many years and agriculture has certainly taken the lead here."
For more information on where to obtain a copy of the full report please contact the Shire of Manjimup's SEED Program, info@manjimup.wa.gov.au.
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer.
Contact Sheri Laba, Public Relations Officer.
Contact for comment: Paul Omodei, Shire President.
Contact: 0448 810 773