James Cook University Australia

Program: Building Human Capacity

Program Goal

Strengthening drought preparedness and resilience in Tropical North Queensland begins with people. Through the Building Human Capacity program, we’re supporting communities, industry, and future leaders to develop practical skills, grow networks, and share knowledge that can be put into action on the ground.

Through mapping regional networks, capturing expert knowledge, facilitating stakeholder collaboration, and supporting student research, these activities ensure producers, extension officers, and future leaders are equipped with the tools, connections, and insights needed to make informed decisions and build resilient, productive landscapes for the future.

Featured Projects

TNQ Service Linking Platform

Map linkages between services, organisations and grassroots groups to help identify duplication of services and areas where delivery is lacking, ultimately enabling more efficient design and development of drought preparedness initiatives.
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Student Scholarships

The TNQ Drought Hub is encouraging and supporting honours students through scholarships (full time and top-up) to conduct regionally focused drought resilience projects that will build academic knowledge in the agricultural sector.
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Leaving a Legacy of Improved Land Condition

To capture and translate the expertise of two retiring industry leaders into practical training resources for improving land condition in the beef industry, supporting drought resilience.
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Identifying User Needs of Grazing Land Condition Information in TNQ

To understand and address the information needs of stakeholders for assessing trends, drivers, and management of grazing land condition to build drought resilience in the beef industry.
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Industry Experts Video Series

This series explores the careers of experts from across the agriculture sector. The videos cover their wealth of knowledge and ability to empower land managers and industry to make future focused decisions.
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Impactful Careers Video Series

This series showcases two remarkable women who have built successful, long-term careers in agriculture right here in North Queensland. The women prove that agriculture is about much more than farming, it’s about transforming ideas into impact.
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Extension Resources

These resources have been developed to support extension development, career pathways and training needs.
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Education, Leadership and Capacity Building Pathways

The future of drought resilience in Tropical North Queensland lies in developing local capacity and supporting the next generation of leaders. In partnership with our Nodes, existing organisations and programs, we’re helping students and emerging leaders build the skills, confidence, and networks they need to guide their businesses and communities through drought and climate challenges.

From funding student-led research aligned with regional priorities, to raising awareness of agricultural careers and supporting rural students to stay in the regions, we are investing in practical pathways for the future. We are also developing collaborative extension resources and delivering targeted training in remote areas, removing barriers and building local capacity where it’s needed most.

Succession, Governance & Financial Literacy Forums and Workshops

Drought resilience starts with the right skills. Across Tropical North Queensland, we’re working collaboratively with Node partners, producers, communities, and industry to deliver targeted, practical training that supports sustainable, productive farming and land management under changing conditions.

These activities cover areas such as business and financial management, governance, digital literacy, and succession planning to help producers use data to make informed decisions while navigate change and maintaining business viability – ensuring practical knowledge translates into action on the ground.

Delivering these opportunities locally often involves overcome logistical barries due to the rural and remote nature of much of our region, but by bringing them to places where they are needed most, we are ensuing these communities are better prepared to manage change and build resilience.

Management Committee Member Quick Reference Guide Resource

This Management Committee Member’s Quick Reference Guide has been developed by the TNQ Drought Hub in collaboration with Get on Board Australia to provide a guide on the key aspects of committee membership.

Download your copy.

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Jane Oorschot

Program Lead

Jane has extensive experience in human resource management, has held both technical and managerial roles in the public and private sectors, and has been a Senior Lecturer for several years. Jane’s recent PhD explored the psychological contract, leadership, and employee engagement.

Jane’s skills will support the development of programs to enhance work skills through micro-credentials, industry research internships and other learning and developmental opportunities across the TNQ region.