In 2005, the Australian vegetable industry undertook an industry stock take that identified the development of a learning culture as an important way to empower producers to identify new and build on existing opportunities, and to provide them with skills and confidence to continuously improve their practices and ability to meet market requirements.

The Australian vegetable industry strategic plan, Vegvision 2020 also identified the importance of developing more skills in the industry.

To meet the challenges of a changing vegetable industry, a project was commenced to:

• Research an Australian Vegetable Industry Training Needs Analysis in Business Skills and Leadership () documenting the business and leadership skills of vegetable industry participants and the way that learning should be delivered.
• Compile a database of available business management and leadership programs providing advice about enrolment and funding subsidies for prospective participants.
• Develop the Australian Vegetable Industry Investment Plan in Leadership & Business Skills Development to provide a road map for the vegetable industry to invest long term in the development of people in the industry. It provides a strategy-based method of people development with a cooperative approach in the value chain and is an important ingredient in the industry's ability to meet the current farming challenges.

One of the outcomes of Investment Plan was a customised program of business management skills "Growing Business"