A RURAL program to help struggling farmers connect with alternative careers has received $250,000 from the State Government.
The Grampians Pyrenees Rural Development Board will implement the Rural Skills Connect Project until June 2009.
The Project will be rolled out across Ararat Rural City, Northern Grampians Shire and the Pyrenees Shire.
As part of the project farm owners and employees will have the opportunity to transfer their skills to other jobs within the rural sector.
Board chair Ian Wilson said the project would also help to alleviate the region's skills shortage.
Mr Wilson said farmers and farm workers were highly skilled people who could fill gaps in demand for welders, truck drivers, machinery operators, horticulturists and mechanics.
