Australian agriculture is experiencing a labour and skills shortage, driven by an aging workforce, low attraction rates and strong competition from the resource sector.

CRDC recognises that people are the cotton industry’s greatest resource. We continue to invest

in the capacity and capability of people through many programs, designed to build a skilled,

In 2008 the Cotton CRC invested in an Education Officer for 5 years to promote science and agriculture in schools.

An innovative collaborative project run by NSW DPI Cotton Pathologist Dr Karen Kirkby and CSIRO Cotton Industry Education Officer Trudy Staines introduced students from year 10 Narrabri High School to possible career

The cotton industry is challenged with attracting and retaining core staff, on-farm labour, and access to professional advisers and service providers.