The flexibility of the New Industries Development Program’s (NIDP) In-Market Experience Scholarship is what attracted OBE Beef Pty Ltd’s business manager Simone Tully to the program.

The Scholarship was established to support innovation in small to medium agribusiness enterprises. Each year several Australian agribusinesses are awarded up to $30,000 to help enhance the rate of commercialisation of new niche agribusiness products, technologies or services.

In 2000, Simone Tully received funding to undertake an MBA from Deakin University and to attend an Executive Primary Producer Program coordinated by Rabobank to help OBE Beef develop the skills and networks in value chains, export markets and business growth.

“What was really appealing about the program was that it is practical and it is not standardised so you can tailor make it to suit your needs. It was really important to me to do something that fitted in with our business activity.”

Although still completing her MBA, Ms Tully has seen how the two courses have bridged the gaps in her knowledge base.

“It has been a great learning process and I couldn’t think of a quicker way to bring in commercial change to a company. It allowed me to analyse our organisational behaviour and learn the dynamics of our own business. Really finding out why we are successful.”

Tapping into the government and business networks associated with NIDP and the Deakin and Rabobank courses have also benefited OBE Beef. During an overseas trip coordinated as part of the scholarship program, Ms Tully supported a major contract for retail to theUnited States and a new supply chain for EU-certified organic beef products with OBE as a part contributor.

The program has been considered a skills investment for the company.

“Often if companies don’t have the skills you have to step aside and bring someone in who does,” she said. “NIDP has allowed the company to invest in my skills and personal development. It is usually a personal network that has formed an agricultural business and taking part in a program like this not only brings back skills to the company but it is a long term commitment to the community and lifestyle.”

In 2001 the NIDP In-Market Scholarship expanded from a three year to a five year program with additional funding provided through the Federal Government’s Backing Australia’s Ability strategy. This has helped the program to take on a more national focus with at least one scholarship offered to each state and territory. This year’s applications closed in June with 12 agribusinesses selected for scholarships from the 40 applications received. The native foods, mango, potato, environmental, timber and equine industries were some of those to benefit from this year’s scholarships.

NIDP will be calling for the next round of applications for the In-Market Experience Scholarship in March 2002, with applications closing in July 2002.

For more information contact NIDP or visit their website at www.affa.gov.au/agribiz

Contact:
Merryn Kennedy
NIDP Program Manager
Ph: 02 6272 3785