Three awards – each worth $5,000 – aim to raise the profile of rural trade skill teaching and its importance to rural communities, while also providing fitting recognition and reward for our exceptional trade teachers.

The three rural categories are:

• National Agriculture Teacher Award.

• National Horticulture Teacher Award.

• National Conservation and Land Management Teacher Award.

“Australian farming is facing unprecedented demand for skilled labour – around 70,000 skilled employees will be needed as we come out of drought,” NFF president David Crombie says.

“The sustainability of regional communities and businesses, including farms, are heavily reliant on the ability to provide interesting and rewarding employment opportunities.

“We want to encourage, recognise and reward excellence in an area that is, essentially, the breeding ground for skilled tradespeople servicing the farm sector.

“Naturally, the ability to attract, train and retain workers in rural trades serves the long-term prospects of farmers, but also regional communities and other businesses that rely on them.

"We hope that these awards, now in their second year, will help increase the profile of Australian trade and skills teachers, and promote the vital role they play in growing our dynamic rural communities.”

One of the three farming award winners will be selected to compete against the remaining seven sectors and be in the running to be named the ‘2008 Australian Teacher of the Year’, which comes with an additional $5,000 prize.

Anyone currently engaged in the teaching of skills or a trade within agriculture, horticulture or conservation and land management at an Australian Registered Training Organisation is eligible.

The application form and guidelines are available online from the Institute website at: www.itse.com.au. Applications close September 5.