SPENCER TAFE - KADINA HIGH SCHOOL
TAFE AND LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL COOPERATE TO GIVE ASHLEY THE SKILLS HE WANTS
Ashley Rowe is a student in Year 11 at Kadina High School where he is also completing a traineeship in Agriculture. Ashley commenced the traineeship in Year 10 and is now in his second and final year. Ashley has learnt his skills on his father's farm and through training at the Kadina TAFE Campus. The High School assists Ashley to do this by providing him with a study program for the time he is away from school at TAFE.
The TAFE training (over 2 years) covers areas such as communications, small engine maintenance, basic welding, low voltage electrical repairs, chemical handling and safety, farm improvements, fencing, working dogs, animal health, farm water supplies, legal obligations, team work and occupational health and safety. This TAFE training is complemented by on farm training where Ashley completes various tasks under the supervision of his employer - in this case his father Neville. Ashley has been involved with various practical activities, for example, manufacturing a couple of heavy duty vehicle stands for use in the farm work shop and raising a small herd of calves.
Ashley and his father Neville examine the stands made by Ashley
Ashley says "the livestock project was pretty intensive at the start and I had to be up very early to ensure that the calves were all fed and watered before I caught the school bus. Now that the animals are a bit older they don't require the same feeding process however I think the efforts are worthwhile as the calves are growing nicely and should yield a good price when put up for sale".
Ashley's parents Neville and Lynette are very happy with his involvement in the training and feel that it has helped him develop confidence and a more settled approach to his school work. Lynette believes that Ashley has increased his communication skills through mixing with other people undertaking the course and that it has given him a much better understanding of farming as an enterprise.
Neville said that he was happy to have Ashley involved in the school based traineeship because it broadened Ashley's knowledge and experience as well as keeping him in a learning environment. Neville was pleased that the TAFE learning was fitting in with the school learning and that the two organisations were working together in the area of rural studies
Neville also highlighted that the course had increased Ashley's awareness of safety issues on the farm and in the workshop. Ashley had developed a list of safety points which is useful for application on the home property.
"Undertaking a traineeship gives young people a start in agriculture even if they do not come home to the family farm" Neville said - for example one of Ashley's schoolmates, Isaac Dayman, had completed the training last year and is now employed as a diesel mechanic apprentice at an agricultural farm machinery dealer in Kadina.
Peter Dayman commented that his son Isaac had benefited greatly through the school based traineeship because it gave him an insight into what is involved in the industry. Isaac had also learnt more about the technical aspects of farming as well as gaining exposure to a range of other views and experiences.
Peter said that Isaac has now been able to get an apprenticeship in diesel mechanics in Kadina and that participation in the school based traineeship had given Isaac a wider view of the possibilities available to him as well as some insight of what different jobs are involved. His current apprenticeship gives him the opportunity to work in various areas such as trucks, earth moving equipment and farm machinery.
Peter was very positive about the school based traineeship concept. He said he would certainly encourage other farmers to put their children through this type of training because the young people get a chance to participate in both "hands on" and theory training in agriculture. This gives them a very strong idea of whether it is the career for them and explores other opportunities available to young people in rural areas.
Spencer TAFE Primary Industries Program offers School Based Traineeships in Certificate II in Agriculture covering Yorke Peninsula, Jamestown/Mid North, Port Augusta, Cleve and Port Lincoln areas. These traineeships are managed through Spencer TAFE Kadina Campus.
Contacts:
Colin Cook (Executive Manager for Primary Industries Program) 88 210 429
Caroline Graham (Program Manager for Primary Industries Program) 88 210 426
Darrel Barr (Coordinator/Lecturer School Based Trainees Yorke Peninsula/Mid North) 88 210 417
Heather Sims (Administration Officer) fax: 88 210 442 or email: heathsim@sp.tafe.sa.edu.au
School Based Traineeship Certificate II in Agriculture (2 year training program)
Update (March 2003)
Ashley completed his Certificate II in Agriculture and has now started full time work on a beef cattle stud on the Yorke Peninsula. Ashley intends to continue with his training and will progress to a Certificate III in Agriculture - also to be delivered by the Kadina campus of Spencer TAFE.
Ashley won two awards for his achievements while at the Kadina campus and with his parents was successful in applying for a Golden Circle “Kid Start Farms” sponsorship.
The Kadina campus of Spencer TAFE is achieving excellent outcomes through its School Based Traineeship Certificate II in Agriculture. All 14 students enrolled in the second year of the course in 2002 gained their certificates and are now working and/or undertaking further training or study. Six have secured jobs on farms, 4 have progressed to Certificate III in Agriculture, 2 have commenced rural automotive apprenticeships and 2 have continued on to year 12 at school. Increased demand for the course has seen the TAFE expand its intake of first year trainees to 20 for 2003.