EDUCATION
Page 62
From toy animals to the real thing
Agriculture NZ graduate Hazel Vickers is just 19 – and has already secured a position working in the industry she plans to be a part of for the rest of her life. She is based on a 200 hectare farm on the outskirts of Hamilton, with a milking herd of 627. It is hard work, but she loves it. In fact there’s nothing she would rather do. “I’ve wanted to be a farmer all of my life,” says Hazel. “As a child, my favourite toy was my plastic farm animal set.” Hazel may be quietly spoken but she also boasts a quiet authority, coming from being secure in your work environment.
“This is everything I have ever wanted to do. I love working outside all year round and everything about it. My goal is firstly to work my way up to a management position and ultimately to have my own farm.” The Katikati teenager is just one of the many success stories from the Agriculture NZ training programme, based in Hamilton. Having been home-schooled for many years, Hazel always found the high school environment challenging. “I was extremely shy and got bullied a lot at school. I did my final year by correspondence, studying horticulture because agriculture wasn’t an option.” Her commitment to farming was obvious from the start, with a year spent working on a sheep and
beef farm and then in a voluntary position on a dairy property, just for the experience. “I never missed a day, I even worked on Christmas day, because I just wanted to learn everything and find a way into farming.” It was a chance flyer in her mother’s letterbox that led Hazel to Agriculture NZ – and she says it is one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Hazel paid her full course fee with money raised by picking avocados. It was money well spent and has set her up for a promising future career. In fact, Hazel was head-hunted for a full-time farming position before her training was even completed. Hazel says the opportunity to learn first-hand through farm placement is a key ingredient to success. Agriculture New Zealand is offering the chance for others to join the Go Dairying full-time training programme that
specifically targets future leaders, sharemilkers and farm managers, through a carefully planned mix of ‘on the job’ experience and training, and classroom learning. The programme is a 23-week course that utilises the NZ Certificate in Milk Harvesting as the qualification students are enrolled into. Students are placed on selected farms, where they experience everything from milking to effluent management and animal husbandry. The course ensures students gain experience in all seasonal-based dairy farming activities. Students learn practical skills on a working farm, while learning the theory behind farming in the classroom. Agriculture New Zealand staff are passionate about ensuring every student comes out with a full skill-set in dairying, plus a thorough knowledge of the technology that makes the NZ dairy industry a world-beater. Places are limited to 14-18 students each intake in order to deliver a top quality programme to people of all ages, including those from urban backgrounds. This programme creates the pathway to an exciting and rewarding career by providing the tools, experience; and more importantly, the opportunity. For more information, visit www.agnz.co.nz Hazel Vickers of Katikati has found her dream career in farming
MAKE YOUR MARK ON THE LAND - COURSES STARTING SOON! Introductory Our full-time one year Introductory Rural Skills programme specialises in training 16 -19 year olds who are interested in agriculture. This course offers great opportunities to gain industry skills, knowledge, experience, and nationally recognised qualifications. We provide a mix of classroom and outdoor tutorials, as well as on-farm training with a workplace trainer. Make your mark and successfully progress in a career in agriculture now! *Free training (eligibility criteria applies).
This new full-time, 23 week programme is designed to help you get started in the dairy industry. Go Dairying is a positive step towards your career in dairy farming; you will gain a comprehensive skill set in milk harvesting which combined with the right attitude, will see you ‘make your mark’ as a highly sought after employee – plus there are many opportunities within the dairy industry. *Course fee applies.
CALL NOW… Applications for our 2014 Courses close soon! If you want quality training you want Agriculture New Zealand! CODE: A.2014-IRSGD1
0800 475 455 www.agnz.co.nz
* Minimum numbers for course to commence.
Taste enough to confirm career A four-day Taratahi taster course convinced at Sophie Osborne of Ohaupo farming was the career for her. With a passion for agriculture since she was a small child, the former Hamilton Girls’ High School student chose to continue her education with Taratahi once finishing a four-day Taster Course in Masterton in October 2012. Sophie heard about the opportunity from her school careers advisor. She enjoyed the taster programme so much she enrolled in the Waikato campus’ Introduction to Farming Programme Level 2, which started February 2013. “I really enjoyed the 23-week programme. It was a fantastic learning atmosphere – just like one big family,” says Sophie. “For me, my day would begin at 6.30am and I would set off from Ohaupo at 7am to meet the Taratahi van in Te Awamutu at 7.30am. “The long days made were worth it
when I finished the programme with a Level 2 National Certificate in Agriculture (general skills), a Level 2 National Certificate in Agriculture (introductory) and was awarded top student.” After finishing Level 2, Sophie decided to enrol back at Putaruru for the National Certificate in Agriculture Level 3 (work ready). “Studying Level 3 at Taratahi is fullon; I often help milk 300 cows with Ashley Pennington in Kihikihi before the programme starts each day, so I’m up at 4.30am, then go to meet the Taratahi van in Kihikihi at 7.30am. “I’m home at 5.30pm, it really makes you get used to the reality of working a long day,” says Sophie. “I love going to campus each day and being on the go all the time; sometimes it can be a bit of a challenge, but it is a case of being disciplined and making sure you get enough sleep each night.” Sophie is about to begin work experience on a stud farm and she sees genetics as an area she’d like to explore more.