Katherine students are vying for the chance to represent the Northern Territory at the Rockhampton Beef Week in 2018.
More than 100 students from Katherine High School, Centralian Senior College, Yirara College, Tennant Creek High School and Taminmin College have been involved in the Pastoral Futures Program, which sees students learning about the pastoral industry as part of their senior studies.
Students from the five Territory schools presented cattle at both the Katherine and Darwin Shows to win a spot a Beef Week.
Education department employment pathways director Andrew Oliver said the program, now in its fourth year, was developed by a need to attract young people to work in the pastoral industry, due to the aging workforce.
“This program has been growing over the past few years and seeing students’ progress year on year through to the Certificate III in Agriculture has been very exciting,” Mr Oliver said.
“This program not only benefits the students by giving them hands-on skills, it also allows them to have a direct link to employers through our industry partners.
“The program gives students pathways not only in the pastoral industry, but also subsidiary industries, such as animal nursing or veterinary services,” he said.
“Students get a lot of value out of the program as it allows them to receive a formal qualification or credit points towards their Year 12 Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training, all whilst getting hands-on skills.”
As part of the program, students undertake either a Certificate I in Agrifoods, Certificate II in Rural Operations or Certificate III in Agriculture which gives students’ skills associated with working on a modern pastoral property.
The program creates pathways for students to enter the pastoral industry through work placements conducted on stations or properties, which includes handling horses and cattle and learning first aid.
Acting Minister for Education Gerry McCarthy said as part of the program, students will undertake either a Certificate I in Agrifoods, Certificate II in Rural Operations or Certificate III in Agriculture which gives students’ skills associated with working on a modern pastoral property.
“The Territory Labor Government believes that all children have the right to a quality education regardless of where they live, and that all learning doesn’t necessarily have to be done in the classroom,” Mr McCarthy said.
“The students here today have been getting their hands dirty, following their passion and I hope we see them grow and develop into our pastoralists of the future.”
The program is a partnership between the Department of Education, the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, Indigenous Land Corporation, Central Land Council, Northern Land Council and Department of Primary Industry and Resources.
