A new national education foundation has been established to ensure students are aware of the rewarding and appealing careers available in primary industries. Photo courtesy Tocal College

The Principal of Industry  & Investment NSW Tocal College, Dr Cameron Archer, is steaming ahead with  the development of the new National Primary Industries Education Foundation  (PIEF).

Cameron is Chair of the  Board of the Foundation, established in 2009 as a not-for-profit company with  support from a range of industry, government and educational organisations.

One of the country’s  leading agricultural educators, Cameron said the Foundation was aiming to  provide great stuff for the classroom.

“Our goal is to grow  student understanding of the role and of agriculture, fisheries and forestry,  as well as the management practices employed in these industries,” Cameron  said.

“We want conversations in  the classroom and broader community to be based on credible and factual  information, and in turn that students see careers in these industries as  appealing and rewarding.”

The Foundation plans to  commission, coordinate, facilitate and manage national projects to encourage  primary industries education in schools and provide credible, objective and  relevant resources.

Organisations which have  supported the establishment of PIEF include the Australian Government  (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), with National Farmers’  Federation, Meat & Livestock Australia, National Association of  Agricultural Educators, Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture and the CB  Alexander Foundation.

The Foundation Board is  currently developing a final membership proposal and will be seeking membership  from industry and educational organisations. Cameron hopes to see member  numbers quickly grow over 2010, including members from the forestry sector. For  further information check out www.primaryindustrieseducation.com.au.

This article appears in the Autumn/Winter 2010 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.