Ironwood Institute and Adelaide University co-hosted a senior delegation of agricultural trainers and skilling leaders from India as part of the Agriculture Master Trainers Study Tour. The Adelaide program focused on applied agricultural training, system synthesis and industry engagement, supporting stronger Australia-India collaboration in agricultural skills, trainer capability and curriculum development.
The delegation included senior representatives from agricultural, horticultural, vocational education and skills organisations across India, including ICAR, the Agriculture Skill Council of India, NCVET, NIESBUD, the National Dairy Development Board and other national and state institutions.
Day 1: Welcome to Ironwood Institute Adelaide Campus
The Ironwood team welcomed the delegation to its main campus in Adelaide, where the program began with discussions on VET-to-higher education pathways and the Australian vocational education classroom experience.
The session introduced delegates to competency-based training, assessment, compliance and industry-relevant learning within an Australian RTO environment.
Visit to Apex Greenhouse Demo Facility
The delegation visited the Apex Greenhouse demo facility in Virginia to explore protected cropping and modern greenhouse systems used in South Australia’s horticulture sector.
This visit showed how applied agricultural training can connect classroom learning with practical, workplace-based skills. For more information, visit Apex Greenhouses
Visit to Virginia Nursery
At Virginia Nursery, delegates gained insight into nursery production practices and the role of skilled workers in supporting the greenlife and horticulture industries.
Visit to the Virginia Horticulture Centre (VHC)
The visit to Virginia Horticulture Centre gave delegates a closer look at the region’s horticulture training and industry development ecosystem.
Barrie Lloyd, Chair of the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster, presented on the region’s food production network and the value of industry collaboration.
The session helped delegates understand how partnerships between training providers, employers and industry bodies can strengthen agricultural skills systems. For more information visit NAPFC
Visit to SA Mushrooms
The day concluded with a visit to SA Mushrooms, where CEO Nick Femia gave the delegation a guided tour of the facility and shared insights into the company’s operations, workforce needs and role in South Australia’s food production sector.
Delegates were also able to interact with Ironwood graduates and current Ironwood students working in key roles at SA Mushrooms, demonstrating a strong link between vocational training, industry placement, and employment outcomes. For more information, visit SA Mushrooms
Day 2: Visit to the Forktree Project, Carrickalinga
On Day 2, the delegation visited the Forktree Project in Carrickalinga, where Tim Jarvis presented his conservation work and land restoration initiatives.
The visit introduced delegates to practical approaches in environmental repair and sustainability, while also giving them the opportunity to interact with Ironwood traineeship-based students working on site. For more information visit The Forktree Project
Visit to Fleurieu Milk Company
The delegation then visited Fleurieu Milk Company to learn about South Australia’s dairy production, regional food systems and local industry operations.
This visit provided valuable insight into how agricultural training, enterprise development, quality production and regional branding connect within the food and agribusiness sector. For more information, visit Fleurieu Milk Company
Day 3: Open Forum with the Skills Commissioner of South Australia
On Day 3, Ironwood Institute facilitated an open forum with South Australia’s Skills Commissioner, Cameron Baker, who shared the state’s skills and vocational education priorities.
The discussion also highlighted opportunities for future collaboration with India, including stronger engagement in skills development, vocational education and workforce training. For more information, visit South Australian Skills Commission
Joint Trainer Workshop on Pre-Delivery Validation
The delegation then took part in a joint trainer workshop focused on pre-delivery validation and quality training practices.
The workshop provided a valuable platform for trainers to exchange knowledge, discuss delivery standards and explore how validation supports consistent and industry-relevant training outcomes.
Dinner and Closing Ceremony
The program concluded with a dinner and closing ceremony, where Navtej Bal, CEO of Ironwood Institute, and Dr Tamara Jackson from Adelaide University thanked the delegates, partners and hosts for their participation.
Delegates received certificates of participation and a boomerang as a token of appreciation, marking the successful completion of the Adelaide program and celebrating the shared commitment to future Australia-India collaboration in agricultural training and skills development.
