Industry Liaison Officer (ILO) Training Project
About the training
The key industry role in a Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC) under AUSVETPLAN is that of the Industry Liaison Officer (ILO). ILOs need to have a clear understanding of their role, what they need to do to be effective in that role and how they could best do it. The ILO workshop and pre-reading will help ILO trainees gain an understanding of the principles and practice of EAD response, the responsibilities and requirements of their role and the limitations of their role.
In May 2004, the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Warren Truss, announced funding to train livestock producers to ‘create a team of industry liaison officers (ILOs) who will play a vital role in keeping industries and local communities up to date in the event of a disease outbreak'.
The funding for this program ended in June 2006. The information on these pages is provided for jurisdictions or livestock industries that wish to undertake training of further ILOs using the materials developed at Animal Health Australia. Livestock producers should contact their industry association to find out if they will be hosting any further ILO training.
Who should undertake the ILO training?
An ILO requires skills in communication and negotiation, an extensive knowledge of their industry and local area and an understanding of the possible logistical and information requirements of the LDCC in an EAD response. They should be recognised by their industry as a representative and will be an advocate for their industry within the LDCC.
About the ILO role
In the event of an EAD response, the role of the ILO is to:
- provide advice on the nature of the local industry to assist with disease risk assessment
- assist with developing and implementing plans for disease eradication/control
- provide advice on the economic and other consequences of proposed actions
- act as a focus for consultation and advice to the local industry
What will participants need to do?
ILO training consists of three easy steps:
- Preparation using a CD Rom based program to complete some preparatory reading and activities. You can do this work at home in your own time, prior to attending the face to face component of the program
- Attendance and participation in a one day face to face workshop. Workshop activities are a mixture of presentations, large and small group activities and individual work. You will be exposed to "real life" situations faced by ILOs during an EAD response
- Assessment consisting of collection of paperwork completed prior to and during the workshop, observer's reports (completed by assessors) and results of group activities. You will be assessed against three nationally accredited units of competency and if found competent are then able to be awarded the AUSVETPLAN Role of Industry Liaison Officer
How will participants be assessed?
Assessment will occur throughout the course. Some assessment will be in the form of written work, while some will be through observation of participants during group activities. Compilation of documentation that an ILO would complete during an outbreak will form part of the written assessment as will answers to questions on information provided throughout the training program. You will be given the opportunity to demonstrate skills learned during the workshop.
The units of competency that ILO training course participants will be assessed against are:
PUACOM001B - Communicate in the workplace (57 KB)
PSPGOV307B - Organise workplace information (43 KB)
RTE3410A - Work effectively in an emergency disease response (132 KB)
These nationally accredited units of competency can be used towards gaining a number of qualifications.
What happens after ILO training?
When you successfully complete the training and are assessed as competent, you may have your name added to the EAD database maintained by Animal Health Australia. In the event of an EAD response, selected ILOs may be requested to perform the role within a Local Disease Control Centre.
How long does the role remain current?
AUSVETPLAN roles remain current for a period of five years. All roles are reviewed at the end of that time to ensure those holding the roles are still available to perform the role and are still able to demonstrate competency in their role.
How do I get involved?
Livestock producers who wish to undertake ILO training should contact their livestock industry body to find out if there are plans for further training of ILOs.
Industries or jurisdictions that wish to obtain ILO training materials can access them through the EAD trainers extranet, or contact trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
Page Updated: 13 September 2007