Charters Towers the latest location for rural skills training

Local identity, Jean Robins has begun delivering training throughout northern and north west Queensland.

Having worked as a station hand for both small and large pastoral enterprises, as a helicopter pilot muster in the Northern Territory, and as an owner-operator of beef cattle operations at Hughenden, Jean said she was looking forward to her new role and sharing the knowledge she has gained.

“I’m very happy to be returning home, to use my years of industry experience and passion for agriculture to engage and inspire our next generation of farmers and graziers,” Jean said.

She hopes to impart plenty of encouragement and practical advice to her young students, and highly recommends the pursuit of an agricultural career.

“I’m getting to know the current students and trainees with the help of our other northern Queensland instructors.

“There are so many opportunities for people to build exciting and rewarding careers in agriculture. It’s great to be on the road, and thinking about how our training organisation can promote and assist agricultural development in our region.”

Jean will join colleagues at Walkamin, Dalby, Bundaberg, Ayr, Mackay and Gatton in responding to agricultural training needs around the state.

A QATC spokeswoman said that despite the decision to close the Tropical Centre for Agriculture at Mareeba, the Dalby Agricultural College and the Burdekin Agricultural College at Clare, they hadn’t really left the area, “just done it in a different way”.

Rural Training Queensland has the flexibility to customise courses in areas such as agriculture, conservation and land management, meat processing, and rural operations, to focus on specific northern industries and conditions.

2017 enrolment projections

According to Mark Tobin, QATC CEO, enrolments at the Emerald Agricultural College and the Longreach Pastoral College are projected to be similar to 2016 overall.

“Currently at Longreach there is strong interest in courses that concentrate on livestock generally, and other courses that concentrate on horses specifically.”

He said the Northern Beef Industries program, developed in partnership with several of Australia’s leading pastoral companies, was receiving interest.

“These companies told us what skills they required of graduates, and we designed a course to meet those demands,” he said. “The Northern Beef Industries Program students undertake six weeks work experience on the partner pastoral company properties, and students who successfully complete the course are guaranteed an interview with at least one of the pastoral companies.”

Mark added that the Diploma of Agriculture, which focuses on livestock management, was also trending strongly this year.

Students considering enrolling in CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Agriculture can undertake studies at Emerald, Rockhampton or Bundaberg, and enrol through QTAC.

Mark said QATC was a delivery partner, providing practical learning opportunities to students in first year, along with the university, before students move to more theory and industry placement in years two and three. 

“2017 will be the second year for this degree, and the first year cohort going into second year have expressed considerable enthusiasm for the career opportunities they believe will come their way from studying this degree,” he said.

Over $100,000 of scholarships are available for students enrolling at Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges in 2017. Applications have been extended until close of business on December 13, 2017.