Yea High School Year 8 student Violet Calder working with sheep at the GOTAFE agriculture taster day on July 24.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
GOTAFE has partnered with Yea High School to host three agriculture and horticulture taster days in Shepparton.
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Students from Yea High School attended GOTAFE’s William Orr campus, and in a working farm environment, have been encouraged to consider a career in either of the growing fields.
Among activities being held on the third and final taster day on July 24 included tree planting, hydroponics, sheep handling, soil testing, livestock tagging and an introduction to artificial insemination practices with livestock.
GOTAFE land coordinator Rob Hall said staff enjoyed sharing their passion with prospective students.
“We are so fortunate to have such passionate trainers here at GOTAFE, sharing their love for industry with prospective students,” Mr Hall said.
“With the recent $1.99 million funding announcement from the State Government, we know the future for our agriculture and horticulture students will be exciting.
Learning about hydroponics at the William Orr Campus in Shepparton were Year 8 student Tander Fairchild and Year 9 students Liam Anstey and William Ross.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“Partnering with local schools will play a huge role in providing a future workforce which is passionate about industry.”
Rob said collaborations with local groups and schools would assist in reducing the skill shortage within industry.
“As an industry, we’ve struggled with a skill shortage, which is why I think a multi-layered approach including secondary school connections and community-based elements is so important,” he said.
GOTAFE is holding open days to provide community members with information regarding career pathways and study options on the following dates: Wangaratta (Docker St Campus) August 20; Shepparton (Fryers St Campus) August 26; and Seymour (Wallis St Campus) September 2.
These will be followed by a series of open month activities throughout September with information sessions and tours available.
Those interested in a career or study in the agriculture and horticulture sector are encouraged to attend, chat with current staff and students, enjoy free vocation-specific activities and explore options with GOTAFE’s career advisers.
Trying their hand at soil testing were Will Granter, Carly Martin, Adam Kirley, Lachlan Henwood, Mark Simpson, Macy Coonan and Billie Ross.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 8 student Aella Beveridge puts all her strength into attaching an ear tag.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 9 students Alanah Fletcher and Evelyn Hawke, with Year 8 student Elise Miller, get hands-on with electro conductivity testing.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
GOTAFE staff member Marshal Jacobs (back) led the sheep handling group (from left) Violet Calder, Ruby Oravec, Emeli Brunt, Dayna Kelly, Mollie Thomas, Yea High School staff member William Schwab and Jack Mullis.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 8 student Dustin Fisher practising livestock tagging.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 9 students Mark Simpson and Will Granter testing the pH level in soil.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Jack Mullis had a go at yarding sheep.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Livestock tagging was a new skill for Mia Sizemore.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Yea High School students practised tree planting, hydroponics, sheep handling, soil testing, livestock tagging and artificial insemination at GOTAFE agriculture taster days.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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