Elders has welcomed 11 new graduate agronomists who came together in Adelaide recently for a three-day induction program.
The group participated in a host of different activities to equip them in providing agronomic advice to growers right across Australia.
The Elders Graduate Agronomy Program is specifically designed to foster a career in agronomy.
Throughout the two-year duration each graduate will gain experience across a diverse range of sectors including winter cropping, horticulture, summer cropping and pastures.
Head of Elders Agronomy, Graham Page said the program has been successfully running for eight years, with more than 10 per cent of Elders' agronomy workforce coming through the graduate program.
“The key to success is having a structured program and multi-discipline approach to supporting learning and development. When planning each rotation, we consider the needs of each individual graduate’s, the business, and senior agronomist’s, to ensure we are nurturing all for the best outcome,” Mr Page says.
Leading this year’s intake, people operations manager Samantha Quintal said the program provides on the job training and rotation across the branch network.
“The program is a great opportunity for graduates to learn about different cropping and pasture systems, as well as gaining broad industry knowledge and sound understanding of Elders business, Mrs Quintal says.
“Each graduate is paired with an experienced agronomist who will act as their coach, providing additional support and advice.
“By the end of placement rotations, our graduates will be well equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to move into a successful career with us,” says Mrs Quintal.
Elders’ graduate agronomist based in Young, Montana Tatchell said she was looking forward to building her agronomic skills and knowledge.
“As a young person in the industry, I think probably the key thing for us is to learn from our peers and our superiors and build our knowledge the best we can,” Ms Tatchell says.
“I’ve definitely learnt a lot this week. Getting to talk with some of the key suppliers that supply to Elders has been instrumental is building those relationships and continuing to learn about the chemistries and processes,” Ms Tatchell says.
Murray Bridge graduate agronomist, Brett Krieg said a highlight was the workshop on writing recommendations for clients and learning about the governance side of agronomy.
He went on to say he was looking forward to learning from and being coached by Elders senior agronomists.
In addition to fostering a new generation of agronomists, Elders is also preparing to welcome a new crop of livestock trainees.
A mix of first year and second year trainees will meet in Albury this month, where first year trainees will participate in their induction to the program, meet key Livestock leaders within Elders as well as join the second-year trainees to undergo critical training for safe livestock handling practices.
In preparation for transitioning off the program, specially designed skills workshops will be facilitated for the second-year trainees to equip them for success in their new roles beyond the program.
“Whether you’re a graduate agronomist or a livestock trainee, the Elders early careers program is the perfect way to develop and launch your career in one of Australia’s most recognised and most trusted agricultural brands”, Mrs Quintal added.
