A skilled, educated and progressive industry workforce.

The demand for skilled and capable people in regional Australia is growing as people choose to live in more urban areas and the resources boom creates greater competition for labour. As regionally based sector, the Australian cotton industry is being affected by labour shortages. The challenge for the industry is two-fold. Firstly, how to continue developing and supporting its current workforce so it continues to be an attractive industry in which to be employed. Secondly, how to develop and attract a future workforce which brings the energy, commitment and innovation that underpins the long term sustainability of the industry.

We will achieve this by:

  • Investigating effective strategies for attracting, developing and retaining people in the cotton industry.
  • Supporting initiatives which lead to the continuous improvement of human resource management including on-farm Workplace Health and Safety.
  • Understanding opportunities for greater Aboriginal participation in cotton and partnering with organisations to support the development of a culturally aware cotton workforce.
  • Supporting educational opportunities which increase the skills and knowledge of current workforces and will meet the needs of future workforces.
  • Creating opportunities for, and supporting the development of leadership skills.

Measures of Success:

Opportunities for learning are demanded by industry

  • A 10 fold increase in school visits to promote careers in cotton by 2018.
  • A student gap year internship program.
  • 50 horizon students by 2018.
  • 30 completed summer scholarships by 2018.
  • 300 students having completed the UNE Cotton Course by 2018.


Opportunities for workforce development are demanded by industry

  • 60 Ginners trained.
  • 25 Industry representatives having completed the Field to Fabric Course.
  • 50 cotton farmers awarded a new Diploma in Human Resources by 2018.
  • A 10 percent reduction in cotton farm related injuries by 2018.
  • On-farm skill development.
  • Participation in leadership programs. 


The Workforce capacity theme is managed by CRDC’s R&D Program Manager, Ian Taylor. For more information, contact us.