Next gen finding path to ag, job opportunities a drawcard

First year students in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at the University of Adelaide are one month in and finding their feet, according to Beth Loveys - associate head of school, learning and teaching with the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.

Professor Loveys said numbers had dropped for this year's first year, with 47 new enrollments, down from 72 last year.

But she said, while it is a significant drop, it was also one seen across the board for all first-year enrollments this year.

She said early speculation considered it might be the lag effects of COVID and students feeling more confident to take a gap year.

Prof Loveys said the numbers of first preferences were on par with previous years so, while they would be watching for future trends, they were not worried.

She said this year's intake was about a 50:50 split between male and females, while a significant number were not from traditional agricultural backgrounds or even from schools with agricultural programs.

"Anecdotally speaking I would say we get 25 per cent with no real connection in ag," she said.

"Part of it is that motivation to want to solve one of the big problems of how we're going to feed a growing population.

"I liken it to wanting to go in nursing or become a doctor, they want to play a positive role in society."

Prof Loveys said a "less altruistic motive" was because it was commonly known agriculture offered plenty of job opportunities.

"It's more complex than just that but it does play a part," she said.

Prof Loveys said speaking with graduates showed there were job opportunities, with close to 100pc employment achieved by last year's graduates within months of finishing.

"They're having their pick - so many students come to say they've been offered two or more jobs," she said.

"It's a pretty amazing situation to be in at 21 or 22 and be picking and choosing."

Prof Loveys said one change she had noticed in the past decade was an increase in students who had graduated and then returned to study - with the support of their employers - to do an honours year or other post-graduate study.

"It probably comes down to employers being more open and aware of the benefit of a student who knows how to plan and execute research - very beneficial," she said.

Another trend was the rise in students interested in tech or entrepreneurial skills, with a number of students also taking up electives in the business school.

Prof Loveys said with the rapid changes in the industry, it could be "unbelievably difficult" to develop a curriculum that matches the rate of change.

"We try to really develop the skills of problem solving and critical thinking, which is what university is best at," she said.

"As long as they have those skills, what the world throws at them doesn't matter."

There is also plenty of interest in agriculture at TafeSA, with chief executive David Coltman saying enrolments in their two most popular ag courses - a Certificate III in Agriculture and a Certificate III in Rural Operations - were increasing.

"Enrolments in these two courses have grown over the past three years, with a 22pc increase in Certificate III in Agriculture students from 2021 to 2023 and a more than 70pc increase in student enrolments in the Certificate III in Rural Operations over the same period," he said.

"Early indications are that interest in our agriculture courses will remain strong in 2024.

"Other popular primary industries courses include the Certificate III in Horticulture, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and Certificate II in Animal Care."

Mr Coltman said they also offered short courses on topics such as tractors, front end loaders and quad bikes, as well as a micro-credential in Drones in Agriculture to help people build their skillsets.

He said they established six Regional Skills Advisory Committees in 2023 to ensure they were providing training to regions where it was needed.

First-year students Imogen Rivaz, Keith; Abbey Biggs, Balaklava; and Elijah Hazelton, Craigmore, say the job opportunities in agriculture were a big drawcard behind their decision to apply for the course.

"When the pandemic came, everything shut except ag - there are always going to be jobs. Without ag, there are no people and no food," Ms Biggs said.

Mr Hazelton said with agriculture a global industry, there was also opportunities to work across the globe.

But passion also played a part in their decision.

Ms Rivaz and Ms Biggs come from farming backgrounds and say the industry was always where they wanted to be.

"If you don't like your industry, you're not going to be able to do it all your life," Ms Biggs said.

Ms Rivaz said the outdoors and social aspect of the industry was also appealing.

Mr Hazelton is among the cohort with no agricultural background.

"I wanted to be connected to nature," he said.

"I also like food."

He considered studying physics or maths, but decided ag would be more interesting.

"It's a chance to try something new and see where it takes me," he said.