student in a field

Future agricultural workforce
Building the future workforce, the skills and expertise needed is part of the innovation the sector will need to thrive.

The agrifood sector is experiencing rapid change. Advances in technology, the pressures of climate change, and shifting global markets mean that the future workforce will require a diverse range of skills, from data and business to systems thinking and community engagement. To stay competitive globally, the sector must invest now in developing these capabilities.

Building the future workforce, the skills and expertise needed is part of the innovation the sector will need to thrive. 

Future skill needs

 The skills the agricultural section will need is no longer what is traditionally expected on farm but a broad range of disciplines that will capitalise on technology and science advances to create improved productivity, resilience and security, incluing:

  • Digital and data – AI, robotics, and data analytics for smarter, more efficient production.
  • Sustainability and climate resilience – Expertise in carbon, water, and renewable systems to build resilience.
  • Science and innovation – Biotechnology, plant breeding, and synthetic biology that turn research into practice.
  • Commercialisation and entrepreneurship – Translating ideas into enterprises that deliver value across the food chain.
  • Collaboration and systems thinking – Working across disciplines, industries, and communities to solve complex challenges.

As Australia’s national university, ANU is uniquely positioned to develop the workforce and solutions agriculture needs for the future. With world-class research expertise, multidisciplinary teams, and strong links to government and industry, ANU provides the skills pipeline and innovation environment that can translate knowledge into impact.

Opportunities  for business

The future of agriculture depends on a workforce with a diverse mix of skills to harness and the ability to translate innovation into practice.

By partnering with ANU, you can gain direct access to the next generation of skilled graduates, interns and work experience candidates who are ready to tackle real-world challenges. You benefit from fresh ideas, partnerships, and a talent pipeline equipped with the unique skills needed to secure resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness in global markets.

If you’re interested in learning more about hosting an ANU intern or work experience student, get in touch with us.

Agriculture as a career

It’s one of the world’s fastest-growing and most innovative sectors, addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable resource use.

For ANU graduates, agriculture offers a diverse, rewarding, and fulfilling career path.

The world will need to feed 10 billion people by 2050. Agriculture sits at the centre of this challenge, making it a sector where your work can have a direct impact on communities, ecosystems, and economies. Graduates who choose this path are contributing to solutions that matter on a global scale.

We connect ANU students directly with industry through

  • Internships and work experience with agribusinesses and research organisations.
  • Industry engagement through projects co-designed with growers, policymakers, and companies and events (link).
  • Entrepreneurial pathways via working with our start-up entrepreneurs in the hub (link).
  • Scholarships that support you to see the vast potential that a career in agriculture can offer.
  • Specialised coursework that integrates science, technology, policy, and business.
    • The Master of Science in Agricultural Innovation is the only degree of its kind in Australia, building on the globally recognised interdisciplinary expertise of ANU to equip you with the varied skills the ag industry needs. You will learn from world-leading experts from across ANU, industry and other research partners. Hands-on learning will include research and technology that cuts across traditional discipline boundaries to address industry challenges.
  • Agricultural courses, majors and specialisations

Few careers offer the same combination of working on complex challenges and having a direct impact. Whether you’re helping farmers adapt to climate extremes, creating sustainable supply chains, or designing new food products, agriculture gives you the chance to see outcomes from your work.