Charles Sturt University has used cutting-edge technology to create a training program to build skills within the dairy export industry.
The University’s Faculty of Science and Health and the Agrisciences Research and Business Park’s(AgriPark) eXtended Reality Centre (XRC) developed a course, Culture: Growing Dairy Exports, as part of the Dairy Export Assurance Program, which is collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Dairy Australia.
It is a five-module training package that uses 3D animated scenarios showing the impact of non-compliance and the effectiveness of root-cause analysis and communications.
The course aims to build exporter skills and knowledge, focusing on whole-of-system thinking that improves the participants’ ability to self-manage their compliance with Australia’s export dairy sector.
The training emphasises the value of a proactive system-based approach for management of export regulatory requirements.
Professor David Mackay said the course utilises the university’s capabilities to upskill a growing industry.
“Charles Sturt University is proud to have partnered with DAFF and Dairy Australia in the development of this innovative industry training course Culture: Growing Dairy Exports,” Professor Mackay said.
“The course showcases the exciting work of AgriPark’s eXtended Reality Centre, with the inclusion of a feature film length export dairy manufacturing scenario, Milk recall gone sour.
“The course focuses on good business practices to meeting export dairy manufacturing requirements, as well as the importance of working productively with regulators to grow Australia’s dairy export industry.”
XRC Director Mr Andrew Hagan said the methods they used to devise training material is revolutionising film and television production.
“Unlike any other corporate video, we didn’t film the actors like a conventual shoot, but digitised their performance,” he said.
“This allows us to change the characters look, location and situation without ever having to physically reshoot – it’s all virtual.
“The XRC is using the same cutting-edge film and game technology as major studios to produce high-quality digital humans.”
DAFF’s Deputy Secretary for Agricultural Trade and Regulation Ms Tina Hutchison said this free program will provide skills and knowledge about export regulatory requirements to Australia’s dairy export sector.
“The training will improve participants’ ability to establish internal monitoring and verification systems to meet the export dairy regulatory requirements,” Ms Hutchison said.
“It’s easier for exporters if they already have the right checks and balances in place, and this training has been developed to easily translate into skills used in the export dairy production system.
“This training means people in the dairy industry can learn how to practically tackle any issues that may come up when they’re navigating the export system. It’s as hands-on as possible so people are ready for any outcome.”
Registrations can be made online by visiting dairy training and tools on the DAFF website.