It’s not often that Birchip Cropping Group technical officer James Jess gets to rub shoulders with a South Australian artisan cheese maker and a NSW grower of Asian greens. But the 2008 Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship Program has given James the opportunity to get together with others in the agricultural sector and see what makes a supermarket tick.
The Woolworths Agriculture Business Scolarship Program is now in its second year and 120 people applied in 2008 for the 27 places available. James, who was one of the 27 successful participants to be awarded the highly prized scholarship, regards the scholarship program as a great opportunity that broadened his horizons in the agriculture industry. James thoroughly enjoyed the twelve day course and believes that the program has equipped him with a broader insight into the different aspects of the agriculture business.  “It has provided me with the skills to relate to the business aspects of agriculture when dealing with growers,” he says.Â
The two week course, run in conjuction with the University of Western Sydney and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, covered subjects like business strategy and planning, the agricultural value chain, successful business leadership, business finance, logistics, and supply chain management, the role of Government, doing business with retailers, sustainability and environmental issues. The presenters comprised of a number of key people from within the company and beyond, from store managers to Woolworths CEO Micheal Luscumbe. In addition to participating in lectures and workshops, James and the other participants – who come from all over Australia – visited stores, distribution centres and Sydney’s bustling Flemington Markets.Â
Mr Luscombe is pleased to be able to provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about his company and said “The Agricultural Business Scholarship Program is part of Woolworth’s commitment to rural Australia.”
