Four of Australia’s leading nursery industry professionals have been awarded a Hort Masterclass Scholarship for 2019.
Luke Vanderstaay from Westland Nurseries (TAS), Richard Ramsden from Tasmanian Plant Growers (TAS), Kristian Spink from Marlborough Nursery (QLD) and David Russell from Wallum Nurseries (QLD) will each receive a $10,000 scholarship to go towards their Hort Masterclass tuition fees.
Described as a mini-MBA, the course equips the future leaders of Australia’s horticultural sector with the skills and knowledge to advance and accelerate their careers.
The scholarships are funded as part of the Hort Frontiers Leadership Fund using nursery industry levies and contributions from the Australian Government.
Facilitated by the University of Tasmania, the course offers a flexible online structure, covering several key learning modules such as innovation, global supply chain, and marketing and governance.
Students will review case studies of best practice management styles, which they can implement themselves to better their business, careers and boost employee productivity.
Across the 10-months, three face-to-face intensive events will be held, where participants can network and collaborate; working towards solutions to current industry challenges.
The 2019 course kicked off on February 11, and all Masterclass participants attended the opening face-to-face workshop in Victoria on February 15 and 16.
Kristian Spink applied for the Hort Masterclass scholarship, straight off the back of the Green Industry Growing Leaders Program last year. Excited by this initiative, he is hoping to further develop his skills and knowledge for the benefit of his business and the industry.
“Developing my business management skills is the next step for me professionally. This will not only be a direct benefit to Marlborough Nursery, but I hope to use what I learn to advance, promote and help secure the future of our industry.”
Source: Your Levy at Work