ESPERANCE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL - TAKING STUDENTS ALL THE WAY IN AGRICULTURE
In the picturesque 'Bay of Isles' on the south east coast
of Western Australia, the Esperance Senior High School Farm offers students
a wide range of options in Agricultural studies. A Structured Workplace Learning
(SWL) program, a Certificate level I in Agriculture program, School
Based Certificate II in Agriculture New Apprenticeships and a post school Certificate
III in Agriculture New Apprenticeship are all offered.
The
SWL program is offered in year 11. Students complete seven one week training
blocks on properties where they themselves have secured the placement.
The one week blocks are spread out through the school year, giving the students
experiences through the four seasons. The schools agriculture training
coordinator, Peter Gelmi, supervises the placements. Students appear to have
little difficulty in finding willing employers and although they are not paid
wages, accommodation and keep are provided. Transport to and from the
work experience location is again the students' responsibility and is usually
provided by the parent. The SWL program is not designed to gain specific
work place competencies; initiative, an awareness of safety considerations,
communications etc are the desirable outcome to be gained in a workplace environment.
Any industry skills attained during SWL are considered a bonus. The farm is in
partnership with a local Registered Training provider (RTO), Agtrain. SWL students
have the option through the VET in Agriculture stream to achieve a Certificate
I in Agriculture. The school farm accredits the following competencies
- Operate Vehicles, Handle Cattle, Routine Maintenance and Operate Tractors.
Other competencies eg fencing are delivered but not assessed as insufficient
live work is available to complete them to industry standards. Following
on from the year 11 programs, year 12 students can complete a Certificate II
in Agriculture, school based new apprenticeship. Twenty-two weeks of the
year are spent in the workplace in paid employment, again sourced by the student
and 15 weeks at the school farm. Host employers are able to access Commonwealth
funding to assist with wages. In 2002 there are 5 students (all Golden
Circle "Kids Start Farms" candidates!) undertaking this course of
study. Along with their traditional secondary subject competent students
will have their Certificate II in Agriculture recorded on their Western Australian
Certificate of Secondary Education (WACSE) and are able to graduate at the successful
completion of year 12.
Post
school and the training continues! Seven former successful Certificate II students
are currently undertaking employment based Certificate III in Agriculture New
Apprenticeships. The existing relationship with RTO (Agtrain) is maintained
and much of the underpinning skills and some of the other competencies are completed
back at the school farm for a few weeks of the year. (Farmers note- NOT during
seeding, shearing, harvesting etc!) The program has been a huge success and much
of the credit is due to the school coordinator, Peter Gelmi, and the dedicated
farm staff. Many past students are still in the industry and some have gone
on to Agricultural Degree programs at Curtin Universities' Muresk Institute
of Agriculture.
Update (March 2003)
All five students undertaking School-based New Apprenticeships in Agriculture at the Esperance Senior High School in 2002 gained their Certificate II. Building on this achievement, the employers of the five students were also successful in their applications for a Golden Circle “Kid Start Farms” sponsorship worth $1,500 each. Golden Circle offers up to 50 of these sponsorships nationally each year. Of the five 2002 graduates, three have continued on to Certificate III and another is likely to resume her training in 2004.
For 2003 there are another seven School-based New Apprentices doing Certificate II in Agriculture at Esperance Senior High School. While six of these trainees are farm orientated, one is doing her New Apprenticeship with the State Agriculture Department at one of their Research Stations. This is a first for the Agriculture Department and could lead to further placements at Research Stations across the State in future years.