Starting out in extension: an induction course
Build a strong foundation for effective extension practice from the very beginning. In this half-day online workshop, we’ll introduce the core principles, roles, and mindsets that underpin good extension. Designed as an induction course, it provides a practical orientation to working with farmers and advisors, helping you understand what extension involves, why it matters, and how to get started with confidence and clarity.
Is this course for you?
- You’re new to extension, advisory, or engagement roles and want a clear starting point.
- You’ve recently moved into an extension-focused position from research, industry, or another discipline.
- You want a practical overview of what good extension looks like before learning specific tools and techniques.
Why enrol?
- Gain a clear, shared understanding of the purpose and scope of extension work.
- Build confidence stepping into an extension or advisory role for the first time.
- Avoid common early-career pitfalls by learning from tested, real-world practice.
What you'll achieve
Through this half-day, highly interactive workshop, you’ll explore topics like:
- Understand the role of extension – clarify what extension is (and isn’t) and how it supports learning, adoption, and change.
- Know your audience – appreciate the diversity of farmers and why context, trust, and relationships matter.
- Introduction to good extension practice – explore the core principles that underpin effective extension work.
- Learn how people change and learn – gain an introductory understanding of adult learning, participation, and peer influence.
- Build confidence to get started – reflect on your role and identify practical next steps in your own extension context.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a clear orientation to extension practice and greater confidence to begin your role with purpose, curiosity, and credibility.
Submit your details to secure your place.
Who you will learn from
Dr John James is deeply passionate about enabling change and fostering innovation. With a wealth of experience, he specialises in helping organisations enhance the skills and capabilities of their teams in all aspects of extension and adoption. As an Adjunct Associate Professor with The University of Queensland, John brings a practical, hands-on approach to his work, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. John is a keen supporter of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN), having been a past President, the convenor for two international conferences, and is an APEN Life Member.
Denise Bewsell is passionate about helping people enable change and strengthen how they work with others. With a background in Agricultural Science and a Masters exploring how people respond to information, she combines research insight with real-world experience. As a Principal at Scarlatti, Denise leads the extension programme design area and has worked extensively across agriculture supporting facilitators and researchers. An APEN Life Member and associate editor of its journal, she’s excited to help others build capability through Enablers of Change.
Course details
- Format: Three-hour online workshop.
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- Investment: The price for this course is A$350 ex GST.
- Register your interest: Simply add your details to this form and we’ll let you know when the course is next offered.
A confident first step into extension practice
Start your extension journey with a clear sense of purpose and direction. Enrol to build a solid foundation that will support your learning, growth, and effectiveness as an extension practitioner or farm advisor.
Secure your spot now
FAQs
What is the Starting out in extension induction course about?
This half-day online induction course introduces the fundamentals of extension practice. It provides an overview of what extension involves, core principles of good practice, and how to begin working effectively with farmers and advisors.
Who is this workshop for?
It’s designed for people who are new to extension, advisory, or engagement roles, including recent graduates, early-career professionals, and those transitioning into extension-focused positions.
Is it only for people in Australia?
No, this course is open to anyone, no matter their location or nationality. While we expect most participants will be located across Australia, we’re looking forward to people from New Zealand and other countries joining in. We’ve scheduled the live sessions at 11:30 am AEDT to accommodate as many time zones as possible.
Can I register multiple people from my organisation at once?
Yes. Simply list all the participants’ names and email addresses in the appropriate fields of the registration form, and then provide the name and email address of the person making the booking in the final comments field, and the tax invoice will be sent to them.
Are places limited?
Yes. To make the workshop engaging and worthwhile, participant numbers are capped. This ensures plenty of opportunity for discussion and interaction with the trainers.
How is the workshop delivered?
The session is delivered live via Zoom. You’ll take part in interactive discussions and activities, with practical examples you can apply immediately in your work.
Do I need any special software or account?
No special software or account is required. You’ll receive a Zoom link by email before the workshop—just click to join. Please check beforehand that you have the latest version of Zoom installed on your computer.
What is the cost?
The registration fee is A$350 ex GST.
How can I pay?
We prefer payment by bank transfer, as this avoids processing costs. However, for your convenience, you can also pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) through our secure Stripe payment gateway.
Are there any extra fees?
Only when paying by credit card, as Stripe charges a small processing fee that is automatically added to your total. For Australian cards, this is 1.7% + A$0.30 (inc GST). For international cards, this is 3.5% + A$0.30 (ex GST). These charges are passed on at cost so that we receive the full workshop or course amount. The total payable is displayed clearly before you confirm payment.
Why do you pass on Stripe fees?
As a small business, we prefer to keep our standard prices as low as possible and only recover processing costs from those choosing to pay by card. Paying by bank transfer avoids these fees entirely.
Is my payment secure?
Yes. All card payments are encrypted and processed securely by Stripe, a PCI-compliant global payment provider. We do not store or have access to your credit-card details.
How do I register?
Click the link below to secure your spot.
What if I can’t attend at that date and time?
If the scheduled date for this course doesn’t suit you, simply add your details to this form and we’ll let you know when the course is next offered.
Are refunds available?
We offer refunds up to seven days before the course date; after that point, refunds aren’t available. If something comes up within those final seven days, another person from your organisation is welcome to attend in your place at no additional cost. To arrange this, just email us the full name, role, and contact details of the substitute attendee and we’ll update the registration.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email us: info@enablersofchange.com.au. We’re here to help!