How did you come to set up the AgriSchools?
The story of AgriSchools started over 25 years ago when after a technical support role selling feed additives I realised that there is a need for a ‘school-like place’ where industry professionals could come and over a very short period acquire fundamental knowledge needed to achieve goals they set. I realised the need for a short school-like education is very much appropriate for the whole supply chain of our industry, livestock and aqua. The assumption made by many employers is that the people hired always come with all the knowledge needed to represent the company’s products and services in the most effective way, something that is mostly not the case. Though the level of knowledge in our industry tends to be high, it also tends to be variable and many times very specific, hence not applicable for all types of activates. Finally, we see that the industry’s need for ‘non-traditional’ skills and expertise, such as data analysts, automation experts, quality and standard experts and so on. These nonindustry specific skilled employees will need to come from outside our industry and as such, they need a place to go to in order to learn about and the science behind the industry.
Why in Thailand?
For two very important reasons. First, because we received the support we needed to get established. Ten years ago, Progressus AgriSchools started as physical five-day short courses that consisted of classroom-style learning and practical workshops conducted in various commercial farms and facilities. Kasetsart University was the first official learning institution that embraced the idea of AgriSchools and has supported the idea ever since. Kasetsart has been providing classroom learning facilities, its professors’ valuable knowledge and time and the accreditation support for the course certificates we issue. In addition, a number of progressive Thai companies, including KCF, Manit Farm, Betagro, Bluefalo, VCF and more, have supported AgriSchools by opening up their facilities to participants during the practical days. The second reason is logistics; our industry’s professionals and AgriSchools participant like to come to Thailand as it is a relatively easy country to visit, but also a country that houses advanced farming practices.
At the beginning of the pandemic, in the first quarter of 2020, you established the Online Milling School with Milling and Grain magazine. What was your objective in doing this?
Since the start of AgriSchools, our vision included a digital version of the AgriSchool courses, work that we have started well before the pandemic got to us. Early in the life of AgriSchools we came to realise that what AgriSchools has to offer is something that the industry embraces and supports. At the same time, we have been receiving multiple requests to make ourselves available in other parts of the world and at different times of the year. The pandemic expedited that move. Our collaboration with Milling and Grain magazine is key to making the Online Milling School a success. The magazine has brough the credibility needed to establish the milling school globally and also the means and voice to communicate to the world-wide industry what we are doing.
What has been the response from industry and what more do you think the industry should do with regard to improving an online course such as yours?
I am pleased to say that so far we have successfully brought education and value to over 800 feed millers from over 40 countries. Companies have realised that the Online Milling School is the place to assign their employees to learn and refresh their knowledge on practical and applied milling practices. I hope that more companies see education and learning as part of their growth strategy and embrace initiatives such as the Online Milling School.
How might the OMS develop in future? You have focused on agriculture and aquaculture are there other sectors of the milling industry that you would like
to see included?
In collaboration with Perendale, the Milling and Grain magazine and the International Aqua Feed magazine, Progressus AgriSchools has now two milling schools going. The Online Milling School for Livestock Feeds and the Online Aqua Feed Production School for aqua feed millers. As we go along, we are not only working hard in updating and improving these two courses, we are also working on developing similar style courses for the flour and petfood industries. Additionally, Progressus AgriSchools also offers other online courses, such as Aqua Nutrition, Swine Nutrition, Aqua Marine Culture and so on.
In your view do our agriculture and food producing industries do enough to train and keep their staff up-to-date with new technologies that are being adopted?
There is no doubt, the industry does invest a lot of time and money in training. The company-own, inhouse training, conferences and training offered by suppliers are some of the most common ways training is delivered. However, very few companies make systematic and regular training part of their bigger strategy, but they should do! The way we go about delivering training today can be better if we move away from a fragmented and spontaneous approach to training. We ought to be training our people in a more systematic, structured and standardised, repeatable manner.
How important is training in attracting new and younger people to the industry and how does training help to retain staff?
One of the most effective ways for companies to attract new talent is for them to make it clear from the outset that they invest in employee training and care about their career development. Because of this, they provide the younger hires the opportunity and trust to lead important projects in the company. But training should go beyond this reason – it is much bigger than just attracting and retaining talent in the company – it is about business growth, profitability and business sustainability. Training is an important tool provided to employees in order to help them succeed in their roles and as a result help the company remain relevant and prosper.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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