Young adults and those on school holidays are being encouraged to start a career in agriculture with the AgCAREERSTART program designed to help recent school leavers kick off their personal Agventure.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the program would give recent school leavers opportunities, experience and skills to enter the agriculture sector.
"An agricultural gap year opens up a whole universe of amazing careers in this thriving, important sector, from livestock and cropping to technology, innovation and entrepreneurship," he said.
The program, delivered by different industry groups and led by the National Farmers Federation, is a structured employment program to help young Australians kickstart a career in agriculture during their gap year.
Mr Littleproud said the program was designed to encourage young Australians to give working in the agriculture sector a go and provide a taste of what a rural or regional lifestyle could offer.
"An agricultural gap year is a crucial pathway to attract young Australians to agriculture, creating long-term, meaningful careers," he said.
A Viterra spokesperson said agriculture offered an interesting and dynamic career due to ever changing variables and the increasing use of technology.
"This enhances efficiency and helps farmers and growers to manage their crops and livestock more easily and even remotely," they said.
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"In general we are looking for people who are hardworking, enthusiastic and able to follow safety procedures.
"Seasonal work is a great option for young people as no experience is required and we provide full on the job training."
I took less for granted in the bush living with minimum supplies.
- MARY EVANS
Shayla Lepse, Huntfield Heights, has just completed year-10 at Urrbrae Agricultural High School but is already looking at her career options.
"I participated in many ag subjects including Rural Skills where I learnt how to manage a farm, and livestock subjects, which taught me the management and anatomy of animals," she said.
"I chose these subjects to give me the best chance at job opportunities for a career in agriculture."
Ms Lepse grew up camping on extended family farms and assisting with lambing, shearing and maintaining farms, which was where her interest stemmed.
"I want to work on a cattle station after having experience working with cattle at Urrbrae," she said.
"I am not afraid to get my hands dirty and give things ago, which I think are qualities needed in agriculture."
Mary Evans, Port Lincoln, was successful in getting a job as a farm hand on a station but warned young people to read the fine print.
"I would recommend people to read their contracts in detail and always keep a contract on hand," she said.
"I still think people should give it a go as the land and the culture out there is completely different to everyday living.
"I took less for granted in the bush living with minimum supplies.
"Being out there did change me to be a stronger person and changed me mentally."
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CHARLOTTE Poker, Cherry Gardens, is ready to start an ag career after she graduated from Urrbrae Agricultural High School this year.
"I have done a lot of sheep showing over the last five years and got a lot of awards at the Royal Adelaide Show and interstate," she said.
"I recently won the Merino wether competition for handling and also won it in 2019.
"I am interested in a career in agriculture because I had exposure through school in sheep showing and was involved with Sheep Expo."
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Ms Poker has recently celebrated a place offer for the Bachelor of Agriculture Science at the University of Adelaide.
"I hope to specialise in the sheep industry looking into breeding and genetics," she said.
"I want to be in agriculture for the rest of my life and would not mind working down the South East.
"I am motivated to work with farm animals."
Ms Poker says she is a passionate person when it comes to agriculture.
"I hope work in agriculture will provide me experiences with travel, developing knowledge within the sheep industry to create my own stud or work alongside similar people," she said.
"I have just found work at Viterra Adelaide for the summer break.
"Young people need to give it a go."
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