THE return of more localised input to the management of the state's two residential agricultural colleges will see station experience and the longer two-year diploma course reintroduced at the Longreach Pastoral College in 2014.
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The college's new director, Marion Titterton, and the college board hosted a lunch last week for graziers and rural contractors from the region, attended by about 70 people, to gather support for the non-paying work experience program.
At the same time, Ms Titterton would like to see better use made of technology to offer online courses and attract a wider range of markets.
She told Queensland Country Life that while the college's core business was residential training, it had to expand outwards.
"We have to bring in more business and there are fewer students studying for agricultural careers," she said.
"To be realistic, I'm not sure if graziers' sons and daughters will be our main market in the future.
"If we can offer a range of careers, we could go into agriculture-related services and train staff for rural agencies and banks.
"They could be industry leaders in these fields - then we may attract more graziers' sons and daughters."
She pointed to the cost of residential training as a barrier for older students who had already spent up to $12,000 on qualifying for certificates offered. She said that online delivery of diploma courses could suit them, making use of demonstration videos and coming to the college for block training.
"Online assessment on campus is an option too, which would free instructors up to do more practical things."
Ms Titterton also nominated grey nomads wanting more animal-husbandry skills, tourism packages with groups such as the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, and workplace training for backpackers as other markets to be targeted in future.
College chairman Donald Brown has often stated a desire to see the station experience component reintroduced.
"We will ensure the course is what industry wants, and what young people are looking for," he said.
Ms Titterton said graziers and contractors who were willing to take on students for practical experience would receive assistance to prepare from the college, including an on-property assessment and help with the health and safety paperwork.
