Behavioural-skills training for extension officers: an approach built on behavioural science

This paper reports on the design, delivery, and evaluation of a behavioural-skills training package for Queensland sugarcane extension officers. The training was delivered as a full-day workshop to two groups of extension officers based in the Wet Tropics by behavioural scientists. The training package was evaluated by surveying workshop attendees before and after the workshop across key learning objectives and through post-workshop interviews. After attending the workshop, extension officers were more aware of their own attitudes and behaviours, had a better understanding of the drivers of farmers’ behaviours, and were more confident in their ability to promote practice change with farmers. Extension officers reported improvements in their ability to understand the farmer’s perspective and communicate positively about practice change. Findings provide support for the utility of behavioural-skills training to enhance extension officers’ skillset. Implications for future extension training and education are discussed along with suggestions to improve the design of the training package and extend its application within Australian agricultural extension. Key words Extension, training, adoption, practice change, behavioural science, psychology