Rural Merchandising and Sales Project
Menu: Click across the green arrows to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.Case for change
Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management (AHC) are key contributors to the Australian economy. Merchandising operations and sales play a vital role in keeping these industries afloat, providing the technology, equipment and services to make businesses competitive.
The skills required for rural merchandising overlap with other retail work. However, specific knowledge of the agricultural sector is necessary to provide information to farmers and horticulturalists about the products they are purchasing. The specifics of this knowledge are always shifting due to technological advancements and the fast-paced nature of retail environments. As such rural merchandisers require consistently updated training that recognises the unique challenges of working in such a large-scale industry.
Due to the nature and scale of the Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management sector, industry representatives have recommended a strategic approach to reviewing the AHC Training Package. This involves identifying and reviewing units by their sector classification rather than by their listing in qualifications. This approach should significantly increase the speed of review of all qualifications, units of competency and skill sets within the AHC Training Package, while minimising the burden of voluntary support on industry.
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project out of the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Industry Sector IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2019-2022 (see pages 32-43).
Skills Impact and the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.
Download Project Proposal (see pages 32-43)
Project Plan
Australian farmers and horticulturalists spend billions of dollars every year on products and services to keep their businesses efficient and economically viable. Rural merchandising workers are usually the first point of contact for farmers looking to invest in machinery, technology and other services. These retail employees are often in customer-facing service and sales roles, advising on farm specific merchandise, handling inventory control, processing orders in the context of the AHC environment. Importantly, rural merchandising also relates to the work of livestock auctioneers, stock and station agents, real estate agents, business managers and agronomists.
Specialised knowledge is required to sell the equipment and chemicals used in agricultural businesses. Knowledge of the parts and warranties of different machines or the appropriate chemicals to use with certain crops or livestock are vital to ensuring farmers get the right products for the job. Farmers may drive hours to purchase a replacement part or medicine for an animal and cannot afford to be sold the wrong product. For this reason, it’s important that skills standards are up-to-date and address the unique context of the industry.
Much of rural merchandising is affected by radically evolving products and markets. A review and update of current qualifications and units will equip the future workforce with the skills it needs to remain competitive.
Project Scope
The aim of this project is to review the nationally-endorsed units of competency that align with the industry sectors associated with Rural Merchandising. The current project will review the Certificate III in Rural Merchandising and 12 units of competency covering sales and merchandising in rural products and industries.
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Relevant Occupations
Examples of job roles that relate to this qualification include:
- Rural merchandisers
- Rural sales assistants
Project Team
| Cathy Beven | Industry Skills Standards Specialist, Skills Impact [email protected] |
| Andrew Horgan | Industry Engagement Manager, Skills Impact [email protected] |
| Peter Miller | Industry Skills Standard Contractor |
Timeline
The project will take approximately 12 months to be completed. A number of industry consultation workshops will be held across Australia after the initial SME workshop(s) have been completed.
July 2019
Initial scoping
August – mid September 2019
Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units
mid-September – mid October 2019
Drafts available for broad consultation
December 2019
Public Validation of final drafts
January – February 2020
Finalisation of Training Package components
June 2020
Submission for endorsement
Subject Matter Experts
Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised qualifications, skill sets and units. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) is identified by industry as a person with expert knowledge about how to complete particular tasks or jobs. SMEs are often identified during the project planning stage but may be included later in the project as necessary.
The input received from SMEs helps shape the AHC Training Package so that it meets industry needs and produces real-life job outcomes. Specifically, the input from an SME contributes to the project by:
- ensuring current and future industry needs are addressed through qualifications;
- identifying that the skills and knowledge for key job roles are reflected in units of competency;
- identifying that core skills and knowledge are reflected in qualifications, while ensuring that qualifications can be contextualised through the selection of elective units of competency for different job role outcomes.
An SME will usually attend at least two face-to-face workshops, the location and dates for which will be determined by the project management team during the planning phase. SMEs will also be required to read and provide feedback on draft materials. This work will be undertaken on a voluntary basis. In total, approximately 25 hours will be required.
All reasonable out-of-pocket travel and accommodation expenses for members attending SME Working Group meetings will be met by Skills Impact as per its guidelines for travel and associated expenses.
If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected]
Opportunities for stakeholder input
Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The documents will be drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in September 2019, and again for validation of final drafts in December 2019. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the qualifications, skill set and units. It is important that training provides a skilled and flexible workforce for the future. The qualifications, skill sets and units need to reflect real work experience. So if you work in the sector, Skills Impact would love your input and help. Please register your interest for project updates and consultation opportunities by following the newsletter subscription link below. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project manager, Cathy Beven on 03 9321 3526 or [email protected].
Stakeholder Consultation Process
A list of key stakeholder organisations has been identified for this project. Skills Impact will ensure contact is made with each of these organisations during the development of this project to seek their involvement and their views on the draft qualifications, skill sets and units.
If you are aware of an organisation that you think should be involved, please encourage them to contact the project team and/or direct them to this webpage.
Of course, all and any interested industry participants are encouraged to engage in the consultation of this project, when the draft qualifications, skill sets and units are available for feedback via this webpage and workshops that take place around Australia. Consultation is not limited to the organisations on this list. This list simply helps us to identify those organisations that, because of their industry role, size or specialty, are likely to have a key interest in the development and outcomes of this project.
Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will oversee this project, as part of their responsibilities to support engagement with the sector, and to ensure projects meet industry stakeholder needs.
Development
Rural merchandising workers are usually the first point of contact for farmers looking to invest in machinery, technology and other services. Much of rural merchandising is affected by radically evolving products and markets. Rural merchandising workers need specialist knowledge to provide information about equipment, chemicals or other products so that farmers get the right item for the job.
Subject Matter Experts are currently being engaged to review the structure of the Certificate III in Rural Merchandising, which supports general merchandising operations and sales jobs in the industry. Feedback so far suggests that the Certificate III in Rural Merchandising requires significant changes to the structure of the qualification. The units of competency that make up this qualification need to be reviewed to reflect the current skilled work activities. The Subject Matter Expert Working Group also identified that the level IV AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) units should be considered as part of the elective list of units in the qualification.
Consultation Workshops – Registrations Open!
A revised draft of the qualification and units will become available for broad consideration and feedback from mid-September to mid-October 2019 (under the ‘Drafts Available’ menu above). We welcome your feedback and advice on the draft skills standards in this time. Face-to-face consultation workshops will also take place across states and territories, with a webinar planned for those unable to attend in person. Registrations for these workshops are now open. Register for a workshop near you by clicking the corresponding link.
Face-to-face consultation workshops
Tues 17 Sept ‘19, 11.30am-1.30pm AEDT – Mildura – register here
Wed 25 Sept ’19, 11.30am-1.30pm ACST – Adelaide – register here
Thurs 26 Sept ’19, 11.30am-1.30pm AEDST – Sydney – register here
Tues 8 Oct ’19, 11.30am-1.30pm AEST – Brisbane – register here
Wed 9 Oct ’19, 11.30am-1.30pm AEST – Cairns – register here
Thurs 10 Oct ’19 11.30am-1.30pm AEDST – Melbourne – register here
Tue 15 Oct ’19, 11.30am-1.30pm ACST – Darwin – register here
Wed 16 Oct ’19, 11.30am-1.30pm AWST – Perth – register here
Consultation webinar
Mon 14 Oct ’19, 1.00pm–2.30pm AWST – Webinar – register here
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Drafts Available
Rural merchandising is an essential part of Australia’s agricultural and horticultural landscape, providing products and services to farmers looking to invest in machinery, technology or other services. This work requires specific product knowledge, including of large expensive machinery and farming chemicals, in order to ensure farmers are getting the right product in a timely fashion.
The Certificate III in Rural Merchandising and units of competency within it have been reviewed to address these specialised skills and ensure they are relevant to current practices, markets and products.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft units of competency and qualification that were made available on this webpage for feedback from 16 September – 20 October 2019.
During this time, feedback was collected via the online feedback hub, eight face-to-face consultation workshops, one webinar, and email. The drafts, including any comments made on the feedback hub, are still available for viewing below.
Feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which are expected to be available for industry validation in December 2019. A summary of the feedback and how it was addressed in the final drafts will also be available.
This qualification is proposed to replace AHC32716 Certificate III in Rural Merchandising. The packaging rules have been amended to include 12 units (6 core, 6 electives), changing from 7 core and 5 electives. Some units that have been deleted on training.gov.au so have been removed.
| AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Rural Merchandising |
The draft document can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
<_typgglpt899csorticp=19986orticptency =true"gister/768860813729"6639243 nx on Hrtem Ventle [email protected]<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.3XXa>Stpecialist knowledledhard unitnt pract
<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.303bpalltural landscape, provi<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.4<1aCo=colnt macl emploe often in cu Matter emaithe curre<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.4<2a>Stpeciawelcomescape,ferending of<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.4<3a>Stpeciawelcomescape,fer saleive machi<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.4<4a>Stpeciawelcomection, busictnt pract<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.405a>Stpeciawelcomectiuse with cnt pract<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.406a>Stpecialist knowledledfdth:lts. Asscapeoil pacliora v><41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.407a>Stpecialrrignowledts of comp often<41.5578apsge-Docu5n%ect.om.5<1alearfixant s of atives yThe nt pract
The draft document can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.ct flyer
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Australian farme dralist knowledge to rom an l landi iyawishervices to fa,e challindusties afloat, t knowledge, including of, large expensive machiices, markets and products.
Thank you to those whow it was adis project, whIII in Rura qualification. Thecy and qualification that were made available on this 20for industry vfeedba8 inal draonen.ber – 20 OctobI iyalecticompetencswithin it have beralia.not limiDecemb ands project, whIII in Rand Managfelscro l�� kille ta basis Projebe seek thlls funca sk technologs of suppow to > Exil environments. Asechnrl merchandisers
sed skihase. SMEsdernloavailable it was addrn! A revised draft of thble> ncy with4>Regin farmill available also be available.
During this time, feedback was collected viad a skillnline feedback hub, eight face-to-f feedbsultats, large, fphcodicwebpage.rkshopsFr 2019. petencasnecessary.Speration>July as addrering mework) uqualias adince t limiDecemshow it was addvailableA ProjectRegshow it was addable>
The draft dsletterlove yohref=to mid-Occolor:#0inion in DeFr 2019., Rrojectformed Aca sk er tbutt product ief=#s sed" ly, tast=auto
/tbody>Register yoThe draferest ollow>f=#s sed" lcpmenups={"ill341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}>emberllow>@ski ielass="col-md->
Aease tt of the el�@ollow>f=#s
-collapEOP SCXW10ll38494 BCX0"csed" lcpmenups={"ill341983":2,"335559738":150,"335559739":294,"335559740":480}>emberllow>@skiso have been order-collaps="hrule 46olorse: collapseve been ="hrule 3olorse: dve been ="hrule 3olorsing-150227arkets an/i>< f clan cu se ber – 20 I in Rue been ="hrule 3olorsing-150236arkets anr IRC Skising reber – 20 I in Rue been ="hrule 3olorsing-150186arkets an Linkber – 20 I inllsimpave been ="hrule 3olorse: dve been ="hrule 3olorsing-150227act.BAC4XXa>Stpeciawelcomection, busictnt pract Than-welcomrdescn, busicmenu-itesIdocxecast.2019-2022.Fw it was adie anandrew@skillsimpave been ="hrule 3olorse: dve been ="hrule 3olorsing-150227act.CHM4XXa>Stpeciawelcomescape,fer saleive machi Than-welcomrkshop,lmp sal-ive machiIdocxecast.2019-2022.Fw it was adie anandrew@skillsimpave been ="hrule 3olorse: dve been ="hrule 3olorsing-150227act.IRG3XXaRtry repr irrignowledural landscape, provi Stpecialrrignowledts of comp often Than-lrrignowlemp-rurakshop, provIdocxecast.2019-2022.Fw it was adie anandrew@skillsimpave been ="hrule 3olorse: dve been ="hrule 3olorsing-150227act.LSK4XXa>Stpeciawelcomectiuse with cnt pract Than-welcomrdesuse with menu-itesIdocxecast.2019-2022.Fw it was adie anandrew@skillsimpave been ="hrule 7olorse: dve been ="hrule 7olorsing-150227act.om.303bpalltural landscape, provi Stpecialist knowledledhard unitnt pract
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Ruates and cumercheir reighclass="col-md-9 ">
Australian far,lnlias pa to ensurp-rugemeural landscape, providingills ial part of Australia’s agricbuss Imtforefreviy intereirybusicisingvi drafII ison. Re ">ounitmerchandisinrnd othe, providhe first point of contact for farmers looking to invest in machinery, technoil. irst poimlaswasugh he fn totaupdauol-m mays qficat>
The "col-md-9 ">A revised draft11in Rura qualificatioIII in /erispubdishry.Speratithat have been dwebsitwdled24for industry20, competency rh=150 height=15that have been /s helps /Dis pro/ct.gister/7688608137296639243 tct.g. Make sure to select �draftgriculture, Hraftlture, Conservads helps shape th1.zipII iyaons, skill sets ane ormercrColor= ned helps selps us to ide(RTOs)roduct ief=#s
sed" ly, tast=auto<>register herfoil ry.Speratiy are rf Australtur- mease email kihase. SMEsdto rom c>ollow>f=#s
sed" ly, tast=auto The Certificate III ictFlyqforce for thedounitscbuss Imtfor challi Irrigepas to atssents proe. SMEsliaffeclets andshop currentAddantteisin, Iitiel>Regi A revised dproquasisates anrchandisiisind helps sse reeopviding Gdo ustrw and entltatira"reviewed toing to rf Apas tbutrse rwhomcro diserd a gh erinptencr=&sisfinal draf IssemthatfExpern. The unagemeIrrigeRegi A revised dehe unitlificas final drafts will also bt=Anmachinly, tibutorat from an IRC) wLus WisidbacemeCe, talse woskillTAFE Welor=ndg is an e,edtakaseeedbackcheir rearmers gletble�n!er to keechnologpStakehae currently bee and es), tency that Subscteamt in machinind Managetion w,units akeholdagpStakehaementst knowledgaachite IIso see IIe00 ctte III iurrentee IIrming chemRegi A revised dave a khe e fereeetnind Managake …II oughr/li>seationarmerstteQp>A revised de qualictesThe doc039;uure theclignte wIiamthatfExpern. Th, gops sse baroinwealectirrettell incey >If istina,ne obinarlargehosiselgi A revised darme039;p>The "col-md-9 ">register here
A revised dharkiwort of the elecectiv5 eledives. Some units rh=150 height=15that have been /Hle�/Tgaas://skillsinsight."6639243 nx on Hrtem that have been andr:pfromBSBSLS402A Ixpert yrchandiis reviv>