The traineeship program at Tocal College is helping answer the skills shortage faced by agriculture in NSW by training the next generation of young farmers.

Feedback from recent student surveys and discussions with employers have shown the vocational training at Tocal is highly valued by raw recruits and by employers who realise it can improve the skills, knowledge and development of even "farm-bred" workers.

A significant number of Tocal students come from family farms eager for them to receive the latest industry training as preparation for future management roles.

The Tocal traineeship program offers Certificate in Agriculture training from Level II to IV for young people working on cattle and other grazing properties.

Entry level is determined by previous experience and by assessment and recognition of current skills.

Each certificate is a nationally recognised qualification, normally requiring one year of part time study at Tocal.

Progression to subsequent qualifications is possible with continued training, including Diploma level by home study.

Students are aware of the value of filling any "skills gap" and recognise the importance of credentialing.

It has been estimated that about 70 per cent of new jobs in the future will require the equivalent of a Certificate III or higher.
Employers include sole operators, family businesses and large companies.

Moxey Farms, which recently expanded to milk 4000 cows near Forbes, in the Central West, has enrolled several employees at Tocal as part of its training and retention program.

Tocal is involved in several activities aimed at encouraging young people into farming careers and helping employers to retain them.
These include:

Cows Create Careers - a program that targets young people in schools and seeks to motivate them towards cattle-related jobs by demonstrating the clear career pathways available

Working closely with Dairy Australia and the National Centre for Dairy Education in Australia to promote dairy training and careers

Establishment of Dairy Farmers and Norco scholarships for Tocal Trainees

Involvement of industry mentors and farm visits during training to improve confidence, industry self image and networking

Referral to Australian Apprenticeship Centre representatives to ensure access to government entitlements and allowances.

Contact James Hooke, Tocal, (02) 4939 8960, james.hooke@dpi.nsw.gov.au