Rural businesswoman Alison Mobbs has joined former AgForce CEO Charles Burke on the team that is planning the transition of the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges.
Announcing her appointment this week as director of the project management office, agriculture minister Mark Furner described Ms Mobbs as well-credentialled for the job, operating a beef cattle enterprise near Dalby and formerly a tourism hospitality venture at Longreach.
She's a previous president of the Queensland Rural, Regional & Remote Women’s Network, and an agriculture and environment advisor to the Queensland Country Women’s Association.
“With her many years of experience in developing and delivering cultural and skill development projects, events and training, Ms Mobbs is an important addition to the team," Mr Furner said.
The job was advertised with a salary package of between $129,227 and $141,773.
The transition process is the result of the state government's announcement early last December that the Emerald and Longreach colleges would be shut by the end of 2019 after a review by Professor Peter Coaldrake into declining enrolments in traditional agricultural industry training.
While based at the DAF Longreach office, Ms Mobbs' responsibilities will extend across both Longreach and Emerald QATC campuses.
As the director of the office leading the consultation and transition process for QATC students, staff and facilities over the next year, Ms Mobbs' main focus will be community and stakeholder liaison and engagement.
A spokesman for Mr Furner said she may have some involvement with staff relocations down the track but that wasn't her main focus.
"The role will lead a consultation process, and subsequently the transition of QATC students, staff and facilities over the next 12 months," is the wording in the job description. "As director, you will work with the local communities to identify economic development opportunities and potential future uses of QATC’s college facilities."
Mr Furner said the selection of two liaison officer positions for the team was being finalised.
Read more:
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
