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 are representatives of industry parties to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Response Agreement.

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:

• Advise on the nature of the local industry to aid disease risk assessment.
• Help develop and implement plans for disease eradication/control.
• Advise on the economic and other consequences of proposed actions.
• Act as a focus for consultation and advice to the local industry.
• Advise on resources available from industry.
• Provide feedback from industry to the LDCC.

What will participants need to do?

ILO training consists of three easy steps:

1. Preparation by working through the Online EAD Foundation module. Participants can do this work at home in their own time, prior to attending the face to face component of the program. It is a pre-requisite to the next step.
2. Attendance and participation in a two day face to face workshop. Workshop activities are a mixture of presentations, large and small group activities and individual work. Participants will be able to work though a simulation exercise of an emergency animal disease response affecting their industry.
3. Assessment consisting of collection of paperwork completed during the workshop, observer’s reports (completed by assessors) and results of group activities. Completion of the online EAD Foundation module final quiz is also an essential part of the assessment.

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.

The units of competency that ILO training course participants will be assessed against are:
PUACOM001B – Communicate in the workplace

PSPGOV307B – Organise work place information

RTE3410A – Work effectively in an emergency disease response

These nationally endorsed units of competency can be used towards gaining a number of qualifications.

What happens after ILO training?

After participants successfully complete the training and are assessed as competent, their details should be forwarded to Animal Health Australia for inclusion in the EAD database maintained by Animal Health Australia. Details should also be forwarded to the sponsoring industry association or partner. In the event of an EAD response, selected participants 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 to express interest in becoming an ILO

If you are interested in becoming an ILO please email trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au with your name, address, contact phone numbers and the species/industry you are involved in.

Page Updated: 10 January 2010