Summary

The Australian Alpaca Association has a dedicated youth program (Alpaca Youth Education) to encourage people aged under 25 years to participate in the alpaca industry. This program has supported young people to join in alpaca shows and learning opportunities since the 1990s, but it needs updated resources to increase engagement with schools. This project is aiming to create an enhanced alpaca education, training and awareness program to address the needs of schools, including a package of online training tools to support access for youth in remote and/or disadvantaged regional areas.
Promoting agricultural education in schools is vital to increasing the knowledge of the whole community about the food and fibre used in everyday life, and for encouraging young people to consider a career in agriculture. The All About Alpacas (AAA) project will have teaching resources on the alpaca industry in Australia which are aligned to the Australian Curriculum. The AAA team will work alongside the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) who will provide the expert curriculum writing, the graphic design, and assist with the development of materials for the AAA website. The project will also provide case studies of young people currently working in the alpaca industry and practical information on the ways that young people without a family  background in livestock production can enter the industry.

Program

New and Emerging Industries

Research Organisation

Australian Alpaca Association Ltd

Objective Summary

The project’s primary objective is to develop alpaca resource material for primary schools, increase awareness of the industry, and of the employment/business opportunities available to young people. Learning opportunities will cover the farming of livestock  or stud-stock, fleece and meat, the uses of alpaca fleece, and the low-environmental impact of alpaca. It will also raise awareness of the potential for young people to choose a career in agriculture and agriculture-related industries, including farming,  agribusiness, agritourism, veterinary, and natural fibre arts/crafts production.