General News
27 November, 2025
Cloncurry school selected for Agribusiness program
The school will join CQUniversity’s Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools Project.
Cloncurry State School is one of 15 secondary schools across Queensland selected for a major agribusiness education initiative aimed at strengthening the next generation of the state’s primary industries workforce.
The school will join CQUniversity’s Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools Project in 2026, after being chosen from 41 applicants spanning regional, rural and metropolitan Queensland.
It is just the second year the program has been offered, and interest continues to surge as schools look for ways to build agricultural learning, skills and career pathways.
For Cloncurry State School, participation means direct support from CQUniversity’s Agri-tech Education and Extension team, along with access to industry experts, agri-tech professionals and farmers who will help shape hands-on learning experiences for local students.
Each selected Stream 1 school also receives $2500 to develop new resources, partnerships, technologies and opportunities for agribusiness education.
More importantly, Cloncurry students and teachers will gain year-long access to CQU staff who will help facilitate industry connections, host activities and encourage aspirations for careers across agriculture and agri-tech.
Senior Lecturer in Agriculture Jaime Manning said demand for involvement showed how quickly interest in agriculture education was growing across the state.
“The quality of the applications from new locations and schools across Queensland really showed the widespread demand for support to start developing agricultural interest, skills and a future workforce in our schools,” Dr Manning said.
“We are excited to support our successful schools for their journey into agriculture, discovering agri-tech, and developing programs to empower future farm innovators.
“All schools across Queensland still have lots of opportunities to participate through Stream 2 of our program, which includes professional development, resources and webinars offered throughout the year.”
The project sits within the state government’s Gateway to Industry Schools Program and has been backed strongly by the Crisafulli government as part of broader efforts to grow a skilled primary industries workforce.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the selected schools were well placed to embrace all facets of Queensland agriculture.
“Agriculture has always been a cornerstone industry in Queensland, trading in best practice and providing quality products to Australia and the world,” she said.
“As the sector continues to evolve – embracing science, technology and sustainability – our agriculture workforce will evolve along with it.
“I’m excited to see CQU grow the Agribusiness Gateway by reaching into new schools, connecting students with industry, and encouraging even more young Queenslanders to pursue rewarding, skilled ag careers.”
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the program aligned with the government’s push to elevate the value of the sector.
“Appropriately skilled workforce is fundamental to meeting our ambitious target to increase the value of primary industries to $30 billion by 2030, and this initiative will contribute to the effort,” he said.
For Cloncurry, the program adds further momentum to the region’s long-standing connection to agriculture and strengthens opportunities for local students to step into future-focused rural industries.