TAFE SA has paid tribute to the local dairy industry’s support of its agriculture students at a graduation ceremony held at the DairySA Innovation Day in Mount Gambier earlier this month.
TAFE SA dairy lecturers Mark Thompson and Annalee MacKinnon congratulated the 12 students who successfully completed their qualifications, ranging from a Certificate II in Rural Operations to the Advanced Diploma in Agriculture.
Mr Thompson said he was proud to work in a region where the local dairy industry valued vocational education and training.
“We acknowledge the support of local businesses who are prepared to invest in those who will become the dairy farmers of the future - even through challenging times,” Mr Thompson said.
“All TAFE SA dairy courses operate through a partnership with National Centre for Dairy Education (NCDE) which delivers industry endorsed training to a consistent standard across Australia.
“Students juggle farm work and family life with the demands of our training courses to achieve their certificates but the dairy employers encouraged these students all the way, allowing them time to attend classes to get the best of out their training.
“This is an integral part of the ongoing successful partnership between TAFE SA, NCDE and local farmers.”
Mr Thompson said the partnership also enables TAFE SA to share knowledge and gain access to the best available dairy resources and nationally-recognised industry courses.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the graduation ceremony was to see students, who initially gained employment by obtaining skills through the pre-employment courses, remain in industry and obtain higher level qualifications,” Mr Thompson said.
“We are equally proud of other students who gain the skills to progress to positions of responsibility in the dairy industry.”
