Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) is pleased to call for nominations from suitably qualified and experienced individuals to be considered for the vacant organisation and individual industry expert positions on the Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee (IRC) as listed in the table below. Nominations close COB Thursday 23 March 2017 and instructions on how to nominate are set out below.

The Animal Care and Management IRC will have responsibility for supporting high quality training product development for the Animal Care and Management Training Package.

The AISC seeks to ensure that the membership of the Animal Care and Management IRC, as a whole, provides the best possible industry coverage and expertise to support training package development for the industry. The AISC is looking for individuals with extensive experience in and knowledge of their industry sector, with the capacity to proactively apply these attributes to the work of the IRC.

When considering nominations, the AISC is interested in:

• the level of influence the nominee has across the sector and how they are perceived in relation to industry-wide issues
• the capacity of the nominee to consider current and future directions/influences for their industry and to relate those factors to workforce development and skills needs
• the capability of the nominee to provide input directly, to seek input from others, and to represent a variety of circumstances across the industry.

In determining the final membership, the AISC will consider both the characteristics of nominees (as set out in their nomination) as well as the composition of the committee as a whole to ensure it is appropriate to this industry. For example, the AISC is looking not only for industry expertise, but also to ensure the IRC has an appropriate geographic and demographic balance.

Please note that while it may not be possible to include every nominee on the IRC, it is important to remember that the Skills Service Organisation and the IRC will consult widely during the training package development process and will be supported by Technical Advisory Committee members who may be consulted on technical and related specific industry information on an as-needs basis to support the decision-making of the committee.

Further information about the role of IRCs and how they will operate can be found in the IRC operating framework.

IRC Structure

Industry feedback on the proposed structure noted the strong shared interests of the racing industry and the broader animal care and management sector. To facilitate strong cross-sectoral collaboration on the maintenance of the relevant competencies, the following adjustments have been made to the Animal Care and Management IRC structure:

• representation for animal breeding services has been adjusted to one position, and a proposal to also place animal breeding expertise on the Racing IRC will be tested with industry, with a view to close co-operation across the two IRCs; and
• two additional positions have been created in relation to animal care, handling and welfare of animals (including in industries where there is a commercial use of animals), responding to requests for a more explicit focus on animal welfare.

Feedback was received recommending a designated position for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). The structure does not include a specific position allocated to an RTO. RTOs will, however, be called upon when establishing a Technical Advisory Committee. This will ensure that RTOs expertise and in-depth knowledge can be utilised in the training package development process.

A further item of feedback was received expressing concern that veterinarians could be underrepresented in the committee. The structure has not been amended in this respect, as positions have been allocated to the Australian Veterinary Association, three expert positions are available under the Veterinary and Related category and a further veterinary qualified person could nominate for one of several other positions on the IRC.

Nomination Process

Nominations can be made via the nomination form at the bottom of this page. To assist the AISC in determining the membership for the IRC, please use this attachment and provide information against the three criteria. Please ensure that you submit a current resume, including the names of two referees. This will help the AISC understand what the nominee will bring to the IRC.

Note: In nominating for a position on the IRC, please be aware that if you are successful your name, organisation, state and position will be made publicly available on the AISC website. As such, please complete the privacy form included as part of the nomination form.

Once you have completed and saved the attachment, please email it (with supporting documentation) to AISCSecretariat@education.gov.au by COB Thursday 23 March 2017.

For more information about the review process please refer to the IRC review page.

Organisations that have already been allocated a position on the IRC do not have to submit a nomination. The AISC will directly invite these organisations to nominate their representative.

Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee