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National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA)

The dairy industry identified in 2005 that availability of and systemic use of relevant vocational training was essential for driving increased profitability. This was articulated by the following industry aims:

  • Focus learning and development effort on investment priorities
  • Create mechanisms to better coordinate extension & education
  • Focus dairy learning & development activities on industry outcomes
  • Recruit & retain more people in the dairy learning & development system
  • Secure resources to improve the system
  • Build capability in the learning & development system


Followed the withdrawal of the University of Melbourne from the Vocational Education and Training (VET) market in 2005, the industry determined that it should take direct leadership and responsibility through the formation of the NCDEA in partnership with Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE.

Project objective:

Provide quality vocational training programs and related services that will equip dairy people with the knowledge, skills, motivation and confidence to improve business competiveness and sustainability.

Project scope:

The NCDEA provides training and qualifications in 3 fields. These are centered on the skills, knowledge and competencies required to:

  1. Operate or manage all or part of dairy farm or food processing enterprise
  2. Provide specialist technical services to the industry and
  3. Undertake leadership roles or other roles of responsibility in the industry

NCDEA is an alliance of Registered Training Organisations that provide pre-farmgate and leadership programs. This alliance is underpinned by a collaborative framework driven by Dairy Australia, who in partnership with Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE), provide operational support to the alliance. Post farmgate programs are provided through collaboration of Dairy Australia with GOTAFE .

Outcomes/benefits:

Education and training is a key driver of farm and industry profitability. NCDEA has four key deliverables:

› Strategic Alliances: Establish and build effective engagement with key organisations and groups essential to the development of education and training

› Effective Governance: Provide the direction and leadership to the NCDEA via the recruitment of Alliance partners as well as the development, adoption and maintenance of the NCDEA governance framework. Support alliance operations and provide guidance to the Farm and Manufacturing Advisory Committees.

› Trainer Support: Support coordination of education and training across the industry as well as for the development of human capacity within partner organisations.

› Quality Programs: Ensure provision of timely, high quality training and resources, with a focus on skills recognition for existing farmers and workers, traineeships for new workers & farm management skills

More information:

For more information, please contact John Weichert, General Manager National Centre for Dairy Education Australia.