In an excellent example of taking learning to the workplace Pat Wake, Lecturer - Horticulture Training from the Roseworthy Campus of the Murray Institute of TAFE has been delivering training to ground staff at the world famous Lindsay Park Stud.

Pat discussed the issues involved in delivering training on site with her manager Maxine Fry who ensured that Pat had the resources needed to make the training successful. Pat Wake delivers the core training in areas such as weed and pest identification and brings in specialist lecturers to cover areas such as turf management.

In a recent visit to Lindsay Park RSA spoke to Pat, the trainees and their workplace supervisor Nigel Evans.  Nigel was extremely happy with the way the training was being delivered and pleased that TAFE was flexible enough to structure the training to avoid workload peaks such as the annual yearling sales.

Nigel also commented that since his team had taken up the opportunity to do some formal training, morale was high, staff turnover had fallen and the workers were keen to undertake new tasks to expand their skills and knowledge.  Nigel said that the training arrangements were also fully supported by the Hayes family, the owners of Lindsay Park.

Glen Carter, who is completing a  Certificate IV in Horticulture had been doing an apprenticeship at a golf club but found that the work was not to his liking - he jumped at the opportunity to work at Lindsay Park but was still keen to pursue a formal qualification in horticulture.  Glen was the first person to be signed up by Pat and this opened the door for other team members to join the program.  Glen will finish his Certificate IV in late 2002.

John Balkwill-Rural Skills Australia Field Officer for SA, Glen Carter Horticulture trainee at Lindsay Park Stud: and, Maxine Fry - Educational Manager at the Murray Institute of TAFE discussing Glen's special project in the rose garden.

Other members of the team who were quick to take up the opportunity to gain a formal qualification include Danny Zeunert, Trevor Crossing, Stephen Johnson, David Pawson and Allen Schubert who are all enrolled in  the Certificate III in Horticulture.  As part of the training process team members are undertaking special projects which fit in with both their day to day work and their formal training.

For example Stephen Johnson has a special interest in workplace safety and as a consequence of his training he is on the Lindsay Park OH&S Committee and is working on Standard Operating Procedures especially with regard to chemical usage and operating light machinery.

Danny Zeunert has already undertaken one special project at the Lindsay Park home of David and Prue Hayes and is currently working on the redevelopment of another area of the homestead grounds.  This project includes developing an overall theme for the area, designing and drawing the layout, and plant selection - all of which is to be presented to Mr and Mrs Hayes for approval.

Danny Zeunert - Horticulture trainee at Lindsay Park Stud,
and Pat Wake- Lecturer at the Murray Institute of TAFE at the
area to be redeveloped by Danny.

Proving that it is never too late to start formal training for a qualification Trevor Crossing, who has been employed at Lindsay Park for 19 years, says he jumped at the chance to get formal recognition of his skills and is really enjoying learning more about his trade area.  Trevor works in turf management and is now rapidly filling skill gaps such as weed identification and chemical application through the training provided by Pat Wake and her fellow lecturers.  Trevor also commented that he is gaining exposure to a wide variety of experts in the turf area  and this is helping him with his duties at the stud.

The Murray Institute of TAFE (MIT) is also achieving positive outcomes from the on site delivery of training to two groups of Indigenous trainees in the Riverland district of South Australia.  Six trainees are currently undertaking horticulture training (one at Certificate II level and five at Certificate III) while another nine are undertaking aquaculture training also at Certificate II and III levels.  Pat Wake from MIT is very impressed by the enthusiasm of the trainees and believes that on site delivery has contributed significantly to the success of these programs.

Postscript