Five major organisations, including the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Ministry, have united to offer scholarships to students entering study at Emerald Agricultural College, Longreach Pastoral College and Rural Training Queensland.

There are 21 scholarships on offer, of which 17 are valued at $10,000.

They are available to students entering the Extensive Livestock Production Program at Longreach, the Australian Primary Industries Program at Emerald, and the Certificate III in horse breeding with Rural Training Queensland.

Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges acting principal executive officer Rick Whistler said it was important that students connected with industry in their courses.

‘‘These scholarships will give students wanting a career in agriculture the headstart they need,’’ he said.  ‘‘We are very thankful to industry for supporting our organisation and recognising the needs to produce skilled graduates to take the agricultural industry into the future.’’ 

Applications are open now for all scholarships, which have been made possible thanks to the generosity of several organisations. 

Glencore and Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association and Cotton Australia are offering $10,000 scholarships to students entering Emerald Agricultural College’s two-year Australian Primary Industries Program. 

Meat and Livestock Australia’s Agriculture Industries Scholarship Fund is offering two $5000 scholarships for Longreach Pastoral College’s two year Extensive Livestock Production Program, while the Australian Stockhorse Society are offering two $1000 scholarships for students entering the Certificate III in horse breeding with Rural Training Queensland Gatton in 2015. 

Agriculture Minister John McVeigh is also offering scholarships, with a total of 10 $10,000 scholarships going to students entering the two-year programs at Emerald Agricultural College and Longreach Pastoral College.

‘‘It is through the support of key industry groups such as these, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry that we are able to support students who may otherwise miss out,’’ Mr Whistler said. 

For further information, including closing dates for applications, please visit www.qatc.edu.au

Emerald Agricultural College, Longreach Pastoral College and Rural Training Queensland are divisions of the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges, a Queensland government-owned Registered Training Organisation.

With the passing of the Agricultural Colleges Amendment Bill 2013, the AACC organisation will be restructured and renamed Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges.