AGRICULTURE industry employers are needed to provide hands-on experience for a growing number of students keen to establish a career in the sector.
Students are taking to the sheep yards, laboratory and classroom at Muresk Institute, Northam, to complete a two-year Diploma of Agriculture delivered by the University of Queensland under the Integrated Diploma Program.
Muresk general manager Prue Jenkins said employers and organisations were needed to host students for the industry placement component of the course.
"We are looking for support from agribusinesses, agronomists, farm machinery dealers and grain and livestock exporters, for example, to give students valuable industry experience," Ms Jenkins said.
"We had great support from employers for students who carried out the first year of the program last year and we hope this continues.
"It's a great opportunity for employers to discover potential new employees while students gain the skills and experience necessary to ensure they are job ready when they graduate."
Ms Jenkins said the diploma combined theory and practical learning.
She said the diploma was designed specifically for WA farming conditions, equipping graduates with the skills to work in a range of areas, such as agricultural production and management, rural merchandising, technical advisory roles and research and development.
"The course has generated a lot of interest this year," Ms Jenkins said.
"The university has also offered the course to part-time enrolments.
"Part-time students are able to choose a minimum of two courses per semester and undertake half of the required industry placement per year."
The diploma is one of many training programs at Muresk.
Short courses this year will include feedlot production and nutrition, precision agriculture, farm chemical use and low-stress livestock handling.
p Information: www.dtwd. wa.gov.au/mureskinstitute or phone 1300 994 031.
Mal Gill
Wool and dairy writer for Farm Weekly.
Wool and dairy writer for Farm Weekly.
