South-west Victorian farmers are being asked to open their gates to help train a new generation of farm workers.
South West TAFE agriculture teaching education manager Bec Toleman said students needed access to animals and different types of farms to get the most out of their agricultural courses.
“We want to provide our students with the opportunity to observe, learn and participate in activities on farms to expand their knowledge,” Bec said.
However, a dearth of options has led to an appeal to the industry for greater input.
“For the past few years, I’ve been using my own network of friends and contacts, but we need to access animals and more farms for all of our ag courses,” Bec said.
She said it was important that students saw different types of farms, from family to corporate operations, organic, beef, sheep, dairy or produce.
Students need practical work and can help with on-farm jobs.
“We want our students to gain a wide variety of skills and an understanding of the different farming enterprises in the south-west region,” Bec said.
“If anyone has animals coming up to drenching, vaccination, if any sheep, beef or dairy farms are doing anything new and innovative that can benefit students.
“It could be doing multispecies pastures, installing new equipment or helping with some fencing, we can come out and use their property to teach the students and also help get the jobs done on the farm.”
Last year students helped to drench more than 450 sheep on one property and also watched vets preg testing animals.
“The more input we have from industry, the better it will be for trainees,” Bec said.
“If we open our doors to the farms, the farmers are going to see the benefits and start signing up trainees.
“We want practical activities, not just coming out and watching, but being able to do things that will help students gain knowledge and experience.
“We’re not asking farmers to do the training; our teachers will be there; we just need properties and jobs where our students can get experience.”
Access to farms would be once or twice a year and students would be fully supervised by experienced trainers.
South West TAFE is seeking host farms anywhere in the south-west, particularly the Hamilton, Colac and Glenormiston areas.
Any farmer able to help can email Bec on Rebecca.Toleman@swtafe.edu.au or phone 0466 506 728.