Project Completion Date: From 1 January 2026 to 30 December 2027 

AFAM is an industry training advisory body (ITAB) committed to working with the agriculture, food and animal management sectors in NSW to understand their vocational education and training (VET) needs and challenges. AFAM is managed and in collaboration with MINTRAC and is supported and funded by the NSW Government to provide industry-led advice about VET and skills related matters.

AFAM works with the following industries in NSW:

• Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management
• Animal Care and Management
• Meat Processing (supported by MINTRAC, National Meat Industry Training & Advisory Council)
• Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical
• Racing and Breeding
• Aquaculture and Wild Catch

Please contact our NSW based Executive Officer Ben Holmes, to provide input and feedback on the skills and training needs, challenges and opportunities for your related industry. Under the new Jobs and Skills Councils arrangement, AFAM will continue to work with Skills Insight and with the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, Jobs and Skills Council’s. bholmes@mintrac.com.au

Ben Holmes, GM - AFAM ITAB

Ben brings widespread experience as a Project Manager, Education Officer, VET Trainer and High School Teacher to his role of GM - AFAM ITAB NSW. Ben is committed to supporting industry to develop the skills of its workforce. Before joining AFAM in October 2024 with Skills Insight, Ben worked in several diverse organisations, including the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia’s Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program (PIEFA SFIRP), NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) North Coast Launch Paddock, North Coast Community College (NCCC) and the Department of Education (DoE). His previous industry experiences involved Production and Amenity Horticulture and Silviculture work across NSW, QLD, VIC and SA. Ben’s experience in the VET system extends to the supervision of an inclusive SBAT program, developing a primary industry education site, managing a school Red Angus stud program and developing resources matched to training package and curriculum requirements. Ben holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in resource management. 

Email bholmes@mintrac.com.au 
Postal Address: Suite 1-2, 7 Walker Street,. Helensburgh, NSW 2508

What is an ITAB?

Industry training advisory bodies (ITABs) are autonomous bodies recognised and funded by state and territory governments as one of the key sources of advice from industry on training matters. They are a crucial source of business intelligence and inform state and territory governments in a variety of ways. Australian states and territories have varying names for ITABs, such as Industry Advisory Groups (IAGs) in Victoria and Industry Training councils (ITCs) in Western Australia.

NSW ITABs provide streamlined advice to the NSW Department of Education on the training and skill needs of their NSW industry sectors to facilitate workforce development. They work collaboratively with other relevant state, territory and commonwealth stakeholders in the sharing of information on industry training and skills needs in NSW.

The department and other organisations with an interest in skills, work closely with all the ITABs in NSW, relying on their timely and professional advice on industry skills needs and priorities. This includes work on training packages, product development and identification of training delivery issues. ITABs also provide informed advice on regional interests and diversity needs.

A key role for ITABs in NSW is the promotion and support of the NSW Smart and Skilled program which is the central program for vocational education and training in NSW and is also the vehicle for delivering fee free courses. The Smart and Skilled program aims to help people get qualifications for in-demand skills and industries, and often serves as a launch point for industry entrants.

Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs)

The following ITACs have been established in NSW by AFAM to provide regular industry intelligence and insights. The ITACs meet twice per year to discuss skills needs, industry challenges and workforce development opportunities. ITACs also provide valuable feedback on the suitability of NSW based Apprenticeships and Traineeships including Schools Based Apprenticeship and Traineeships (SBATs).

• Agriculture and Production Horticulture ITAC
• Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping, and Conservation and Land Management ITAC
• Animal Care and Management ITAC (Including Racing and Breeding)
• Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Processing ITAC

The aquaculture and wild catch and meat processing industries are engaged through existing and established informal networks that these industries already have in place in NSW and AFAM ITAB works collaboratively with these networks to provide industry advice.

Meat Processing Industry

AFAM works in partnership with MINTRAC to support the meat processing sector across New South Wales. As the NSW Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB) contract holder for the Agriculture and Food sectors and Australia's national industry body for meat processing skills and workforce development, MINTRAC provides specialist industry advice on workforce capability, training priorities, apprenticeships and traineeships, qualifications, and emerging skills needs. This work is led by Danielle Webster, who engages with industry, employers, training providers and government to ensure the sector's workforce priorities are represented and that training solutions remain aligned to industry needs. AFAM is supported and funded by the NSW Government.