A NEW course focused on the region’s agricultural worker shortage will start next month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Developed in consultation with south-west farmers, South West TAFE’s new ‘Farm Job Ready’ course has been tailored to address the short supply of quality candidates for agricultural jobs.
While the new course being trialled by TAFE can provide training for all farm jobs, it is particularly aimed at region’s dairy industry, which is struggling to find milkers and other workers.
South West TAFE land-based program advisor Karen Wales said demand for agricultural workers was strong with many farms unable to find suitably skilled candidates.
“Farmers say that they can’t find people with enough basic skills and understanding of farming to get started,” Ms Wales said. “With the skills set learned from this course the students will be farm job-ready.”
The pilot five-week course will start in early November.
An information session will be held at the South West TAFE’s Warrnambool campus on Wednesday.
The course has an emphasis on hands-on training and will cover correct procedures to operate farm machinery and vehicles, stock handling, milking, quality assurance, fencing, work expectations, occupational health and safety and first aid.
“A lot of local people might want to work in agriculture but don’t have the skills or confidence to get started,” Ms Wales said. “This course will give them that stepping stone.”