Australian Agricultural College Corporation

Star attends Emerald business breakfast

2012-03-05T14:21:00.001+10:00

MORE than 90 people attended the first Central Highlands Development Corporation business breakfast of the year in Emerald on Friday (17 February 2012).

Retired rugby league star Shane Webcke was the main drawcard, while Salaris Consulting director Stuart Crow and representatives from GVK/Hancock Coal which has a majority interest in three prospective mines near Alpha in the Galilee Basin were also well received.

GVK/Hancock Coal community engagement manager Grant Keenan gave the breakfast an update on the Alpha Coal, Alpha West and Kevin’s Corner Coal Projects in the Galilee Basin.

Central Highlands Regional Councillor
Kerry Hayes with ShaneWebcke.

Jim Sands,AACC, and David Pickstone,
Rabobank, at the Emerald breakfast

Pictures: Central highlands Development Corporation

Students want horse courses at AACC

2012-03-05T14:02:00.006+10:00

YOUNG people are galloping to take places with the Australian Agricultural College Corp (AACC) Longreach Pastral campus for the chance of learning from well known horse instructor John Arnold.

"We have had to double our offering because of demand and now have two complete groups in the Certificate III Agriculture (Horse Breeding)," Mr Arnold said.

"For some, this is their first experience in large, open paddocks and it’s a shock to the system to be riding fimn sun up to sundown but everyone is keen to get out and start working the horses and leartung.

"For the first few weeks we will be pairing students up with the horses they will care for and ultimately show and compete with as part of their overall training."

There are 17 young people from the likes of Ballina and Nowra in NSW and Montrose in South Australia as well as Gin Gin, Atherton and Talwood in Queensland undertaking the qualifications under Mr Arnold’s expert instruction.

Students get hands on experience in the breeding program; prepare horses for sale; learn grooming, general animal behaviour and health.

"This complete training makes them highly sought after by employers," Mr Arnold said.

"This year we will have a very strong show team and very competitive campdraft team to take to events around Queensland.

"Our first show will be in March and that gives students the time to get to know their animals and prepare them"

Overall, Longreach Pastoral Campus has more than doubled its enrolments in full-time, residential courses this year, with 61 students either living on or off-campus.

Alexis Hocking from Mooloolah is the youngest of this year’s intake. At 15 years she is enrolled in the PACE program so she can complete her high school certificate while gaining qualifications in agriculture.

"There are more and more young women looking at careers in agriculture, especially in the equine industry where there are careers in racing, with studs or as stockmen on grazing properties," Mr Arnold said.

The next intake of students for agricultural courses is in second semester and the college will offer short courses and external courses throughout the year.

Part of the 2012 intake at Longreach Pastoral Campus are Shae Pasetti from Innisfail, Queensland;
Georgia lindsay from Wamuran, Queensland; Casey Clarke from Cobar, NSW
and Mary Matthews from Pokolbin in NSW.

For more information, contact AACC on 1800 888 710 or visit the website http://www.aacc.edu.au/

Longreach Leader, Page: 12, Friday, 24 February 2012

AACC Longreach Pastoral Campus Instructor John Arnold says they have had a 100% increase in enrolments for full-time residential courses

2012-03-05T13:32:00.000+10:00

The Longreach Pastoral Campus says it's enjoyed a 100 per cent increase in enrolments this year in full time residential courses.

The campus of the Australian Agricultural College Corporation has had some lean years recently in trying to attract enrolments but says it now has 61 students living either on or off campus.

Instructor John Arnold says the certificate three in agriculture horse breeding is also proving popular. He says the campus has had to double its offering because of that demand with keen horsemen and women from across the country enrolling.

ABC Western Queensland 24/02/2012

AACC heads quad-bike safety

2012-01-12T15:41:00.001+10:00

People moving into the agricultural sector after formal training in agriculture are already applying the safety measures currently in the spotlight.

While helmets may become compulsory when using quad-bikes on-farm and roll bars mandatory, AACC Executive Director Tony Rayner says these practices are part of general training within the organisation.

All students of Australian Agricultural College Corporation learn riding safety with helmets as a compulsory part of the uniform just like closed in shoes; and each quad-bike across all the AACC sites is fitted with a roll-over bar.

“AACC students are trained to wear helmets, follow manufacturer guidelines and use the vehicle in the best way for specific,” Mr Rayner said.

“The incidence of quad-bike fatalities and injuries is alarming and we are proud to instil appropriate safety practices in both full-time residential students and those undertaking short courses with us.

“Most small to medium-size grazing enterprises use ATVs and other motor bikes for mustering, fencing, property inspection, spraying and general inspection, so this will be at the top of many minds across the agricultural sector.

“In March last year, AACC fitted Quadbars on all its all-terrain vehicles from QB Industries in south east Queensland.

“Despite some initial apprehension on the use of roll bars on our AACC vehicles, students and staff have quickly adapted.”

AACC is also currently working with safety authorities to assess the practicalities of adopting the practice of riders wearing helmets and using Quads fitted with ROPS.

In 2011, there were 23 fatalities in quad-bike incidents and there have been 12 deaths since 2002 in Queensland alone.

AACC can provide training on-site in the safe use of Quads and two-wheel bikes as well as offering this as part of courses through AACC.

Draft amendments to the Rural Plant Code of Practice 2004 will be available for comment until 31 March 2012.

For more information on short courses and other safety information, contact AACC on 1800 888 710 and visit the website www.aacc.edu.au to discover more about AACC and the courses it offers.

From the hills to the outback Sam and Cam have the skills

2011-12-16T15:48:00.002+10:00

Eleven years ago, a young Samantha Gardiner toured the Longreach ag college with her family while on holidays, setting in motion a drive to work in the agricultural sector.

While she may have been just seven at the time, the Tasmanian youngster was sure she wanted a career on the land and graduates this week from Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s Longreach Pastoral Campus with a Certificate III in Agriculture (Horse Breeding).

The 18-year-old grew up on a dairy farm on the north-west tip of Tasmania and says the climate in western Queensland and rainfall averages are vastly different to her home town but she’s loving life in the outback.

“I’m really enjoying myself and will come back next year to do a Certificate IV in ag specialising in beef production which will kick my career along even further,” she said.

“I’ve learnt lots of different aspects of agriculture and it’s been a big learning curve to know how to manage a farming enterprise and all the different challenges of climate, business and staff management.

“My family is supportive even though I am a long way from home and they know the residential staff are always on-hand for help and advice – it’s been an absolutely brilliant six months.”

After another 12 months at Longreach Pastoral Campus, Samantha wants to continue working in northern Australia.

Meanwhile, Cameron Johnston traded the concrete jungle of Baulkham Hills, Sydney for the wide expanses and red dirt of Longreach two years ago and is heading to WA next year to work.

The 21-year-old has secured work with the iconic Kidman & Co business on the 1.8 million acre property Ruby Plains, near Halls Creek in Western Australia.

He graduated this week with a Diploma in Agriculture (specialising in Beef Production) and will share the long days and sensational landscapes of Ruby Plains with his girlfriend Steph Kotowski who is also an AACC student.

“When I was younger I would visit friends who lived on properties during the holidays, I knew there was an appeal there for me,” he said.

“After school I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, I kind of took some time off and then got a job working on a farm at Glen Innes.

“I loved it and the owners were supportive and suggested that for me to have a career in agriculture I should get some qualifications and they suggested AACC, so I started last year and have learnt so much.”

Cameron says of his school friends, most are still in Sydney and are keen to visit Longreach, seeing Cameron as a bit of an adventurer.

“I had the skills from working on the farm when I came here but there’s been so much more involved in the Diploma like marketing, how to manage people and animal husbandry so I feel so confident in my skills now as I head out into the workforce,” he said.

Cameron and Samantha will join a cohort of 30 students graduating from Longreach Pastoral Campus with full qualifications or skill sets to assist them in gaining careers in agriculture or improving their future prospects in current jobs.

Certificate I Rural Operations/ Certificate II Horse Breeding - Lisa Reynolds

Certificate II Shearing / Wool Handling – Isabel Morice

Certificate III Agriculture – Ben Hewitt

Certificate III Horse Breeding – Taelor Toomey & Simone Klaus

Certificate I/II Rural operations - Rhiannon Teague

Samantha Gardiner and Sam Turner

Samantha Gardiner from Tasmania and Cameron Johnston from Sydney graduated from AACC Longreach Pastoral Campus on Wednesday night.

2011 Prize and Award winners:

Graduates walk into jobs thanks to AACC training

2011-12-16T15:33:00.000+10:00

Former Sydney resident Oliver Vidor walks away from Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s Dalby Training Centre this year with a job and the awards for Academic Excellence and Sheep Husbandry.

Growing up in Sydney and then moving to Hobart in Tasmania, he held a love of the land from an early age, spending holidays on the family farm near Young in NSW.

“Whenever I could get the opportunity, I was always at the farm and that started my interest in farming and being on the land,” the 20-year-old said.

“In Tassie I worked on a nearby sheep and cropping farm in my spare time and in the holidays since starting at Dalby AACC in 2010.”

Oliver was among many students, including Bradley Smith, who participated in the 2009 TASTE holiday program that gives young people an idea of what a qualification through AACC could lead to.

“After the TASTE holiday program, I applied to AACC and when I got there, it was great to see other participants in Brad and Tim Wilkin there as well, we’ve gone through the course together.”

Oliver and Tim Wilkin from Coonabarabran have secured jobs with Namoi Valley Farms and will work on the 35,000-acre enterprise’s property at Cryon – between Walgett and Burren Junction – that specialises in dryland cropping.

The young man graduates today with a Diploma of Agriculture with fellow classmate Bradley Smith from Brisbane.

“I’m an outdoors person and despite growing up in the city, my school had an ag plot and I was always interested in it,” the 17-year-old said.

“After a representative from AACC visited school to talk about possible careers in agriculture and going through the TASTE holiday program in 2009, I knew AACC was for me.

“I started in 2010 and have done all the qualifications from the start to now graduating with a Diploma in Agriculture and am walking into a job!”

Bradley starts work at the Green family pig farm near Dalby and will pursue his goal of gaining his truck license when he’s old enough to build his skills, working with Associated Grains and for the Green family.

He also graduates with the Sheep Husbandry Encouragement Award for 2011 for excellence in animal husbandry over the course of his studies.

“The country needs more farmers and I’m proud to have completed my training and ready to get stuck into working in the rural sector,” Bradley said.

For more information, contact AACC on 1800 888 710 and visit the website www.aacc.edu.au to discover more about AACC and the courses it offers.

Dalby Bradley Smith, Oliver Vidor and Timothy Wilkin graduate from Dalby Training Centre this week – the trio have been studying together since attending the 2009 TASTE holiday program.

Awards and prizes:

· Sheep Husbandry Award 2011 – Oliver Vidor

· Sheep Husbandry Encouragement Award 2011 – Bradley Smith

· Most Consistent Performance Award 2011 – Timothy Wilkin

· Academic Excellence Award 2011 – Oliver Vidor

Students travel across the world for AACC training

2011-12-16T15:23:00.000+10:00

Rory Carmichael had been working on stations in Australia since moving from the

two years ago, before deciding that some training was on the cards.

The 22-year-old qualified for Recognition of Prior Learning thanks to the experience he had gained on Longton Station, Pentland and other properties. He is graduating with a Certificate IV and Diploma in Agriculture (Beef Production) this week.

Rory makes up a graduating class for the Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s Emerald campus on 9 December with qualifications ranging through cropping, beef and horse specialities.

“Because of my previous work on Longton and a year working on other properties I had the experience to get RPL and then do the gap training necessary to get these qualifications,” Mr Carmichael said.

“I’m from a farming background; my grandfather in

England

had sheep, though nothing like the scale of Longton - 875,000 acres and 12,000 breeders!

“I came to

Australia

for a gap year and have stayed on; loving working with the cattle and the long days and the remoteness of the stations.

“I want to get some qualifications under my belt because I eventually want to get my helicopter licence and have a business, so everything I’ve learnt through AACC is useful towards reaching that goal.

“My parents aren’t thrilled that I’m so far away but they are happy I have found success.

“The biggest thing I learnt was that although I had learnt things on the job and had my own views when I arrived at AACC, our instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and were able to take the time to teach both theoretically and practically.

“Everything you learn in the classroom ties in with the practical side.”

Meanwhile, Shiana Marr from Emerald will graduate from the PACE (Pathways to Agricultural Careers and Education) program at just 16.

After 12 months with AACC she is going well in her studies finishing Year 11 and Certificates I and II in Rural Operations as well as a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management with a clear goal for the future.

“Next year I’ll finish Year 12 then come back to AACC to get my Diploma in Agriculture,” she said.

“I chose to come through AACC because I believe it will help me in my future and open up more opportunities in the areas I would like to have a career in.

“I plan on working in breaking and breeding horses and AACC has a good name in the industry and having that Diploma at the end of a few years’ study through the college, shows commitment to an employer.”

Shiana says going through the PACE program has been great for self-development as there is more responsibility and hands-on, self-paced learning.

“All my friends are pretty impressed, you have to be mature and you have more responsibility than at school,” she said.

Shiana’s passion for the equine industry includes working on the family farm and playing polocrosse for the Emerald Emus in her spare time.

Applications for the 2012 student intake are now open.

Shiana Marr from Emerald and Rory Carmichael from England are graduating this week from Emerald Agricultural Research and Training Campus among a swag of fellow students.

Building a strong future for tomorrow's farmers

2011-12-16T15:09:00.000+10:00

Producing highly skilled and innovative farmers through quality education and training for over 40 years, the Australian Agricultural College Corporation (AACC) is helping to ensure a strong future for rural industries.

With world‐class teaching and wide range of specialised training options, AACC has kept pace with rapidly advancing technology and innovation in agriculture by adapting its curriculum to build the skills of tomorrow’s farmers, today.

AACC Director of Education and Training Dr Brian Heim said “AACC is committed to delivering flexible training that meets the needs of industry while providing a top experience for the client. From skill sets to full qualifications, we can provide what is needed when and where it is needed.”

With 14 training sites throughout Queensland including 70,000 hectares of prime pastoral and farming land for hands‐on training, and two campuses with on‐campus accommodation, AACC provides students with an excellent range of options and experiences.

AACC is well known for its flexible delivery of rural education, with staff regularly travelling throughout Queensland to provide on‐site training to businesses.

With small class sizes, AACC provides students the benefit of high instructor‐to‐student ratios and supportive and friendly campuses and training centres.

A range of specialised training is offered at each campus and training centre, allowing students to undertake in‐depth studies that support their chosen career pathway. Specialist areas include beef cattle, sheep and wool, crop production, equine studies, horticulture, agribusiness and environmental studies.

“AACC is much more than simply residential training for school leavers. We also deliver high quality, customised and flexible industry based training in the workplace to upskill the existing and emerging workforce of the rural sector,” Dr Heim said.

“AACC has been delivering skills to the rural industries of Queensland for over four decades.

Students in full time residential courses have no difficulty in finding employment. Those already in employment who seek additional skills consistently reap benefits through participation in short courses, workshops and recognition of prior learning.”

Work‐ready graduates of AACC are in high demand from rural employers, with about 95 percent of full‐time course graduates gaining employment within three months of completing their courses, and some moving on to further study.

All full‐time courses and traineeships provide students with nationally recognised qualifications

ensuring they gain skills that are up to date and meet current industry requirements.

“Traditionally, farming knowledge was passed from father to child as generations stayed on the land.

With an increasingly mobile population, a qualification is a transportable item that adds to a farmer’s confidence in the skills and knowledge of someone they hire,” Dr Heim said.

Industry and employers play a valuable role in planning AACC’s courses and curriculum. AACC

continues to grow its partnerships with business, government and industry in order to deliver worldclass training and support the economic growth of the agricultural sector.

To find out more Freecall 1800 888 710 Email: enquiries@aacc.edu au or visit http://www.aacc.edu.au/

Dalby Training Centre moves forward

2011-12-15T08:21:00.000+10:00

The New Year will herald a revitalised Dalby Training Centre with new training, new staff and increased training opportunities for the town and region.

There will be a number of new faces on staff, replenishing numbers to the team after a number of staff took advantage of the Voluntary Separation Package opportunity and leave the AACC family at the end of this week.

“There is some notion out in the community that the campus is no longer operational, that AACC does not have a commitment to training in the region,” AACC Executive Director Mr Rayner said.

“This is simply not true.

“Like any business, when the demands of the customer changes, the direction of the business changes.

“We currently have 40 work-based trainee students as well as 15 school-based trainees who are getting their instruction through Dalby Training Centre.

“The relationship with Education Queensland is also growing in strength with staff delivering training to 30 Year 10 students twice a week, eight agricultural professionals once a week and eight Year 12 students three days each week.

“In November our Dalby staff worked with 38 employees of the local council to complete Chainsaw Operation and Maintenance training and there have been a series of other well-attended short courses throughout 2011.”

The popularity of the short course program has assured the program will be continued and expanded on in the New Year as well as AACC’s certificate and Diploma courses.

Dalby Training Centre has also brokered a partnership with Queensland Murray Darling Committee to deliver two traineeships, a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management and a Certificate II in Indigenous Land Management that begins in January.

“For the past few years, AACC has been working hard to refresh the training on offer which can be delivered across a wide geographic footprint in a flexible way that is best for the student and in many cases, the employer,” Mr Rayner said.

“We have succeeded in changing the way the ag colleges have operated to make them more relevant to the current agricultural and training environment.

“We are seeing an increase in customers wanting to have their life-skills formally recognised through the Recognition of Prior Learning program as well as industry calling for short courses and skills sets which sees our instructors travel to deliver on-site.”

Dalby Training Centre maintains the main training centre farm of 253.34 hectares, just north of Dalby as well as the 121.4-hectare property, Crystal Brook at Moola where students gain practical experience on these working enterprises in the areas of broadacre crop and grain production, property maintenance and improvement, cattle and intensive livestock industries and machinery operations.

For more information, contact AACC on 1800 888 710 and visit the website www.aacc.edu.au to discover more about AACC and the courses it offers.

AACC offers sustainable futures for Northern Gulf Region

2011-12-13T09:34:00.000+10:00

Geography is no barrier when it comes to gaining qualifications to increase the bottom line of Queensland businesses.

The Mareeba Centre for Sustainable Agriculture is the first choice in flexible training, with staff able to conduct on-site visits right through the Northern Gulf Region.

From Recognition of Prior Learning and gap training to traineeships and short courses, the Australian Agricultural College Corporation has a qualification that can be tailored to suit skilling needs.

The centre is known for its world-class training in Conservation and Land Management and it has a wide repertoire of qualifications including: horticulture, conservation and land management, agriculture, production horticulture and rural business management.

The Mareeba AACC campus conducted on-site training at Kowanyama in a project that saw the organisation acknowledged by the Queensland Government as a trainer of excellence in the Queensland Training Awards.

Staff travel widely; visiting property owners and managers and updating skills, identifying where qualifications can be upgraded and where there are skills gaps.

They then tailor training opportunities that have real outcomes which help overall productivity, finance operations and personnel management.

Through to the end of the year, there are short courses being offered in welding, mapping, washdown, fire management, small engine maintenance and chainsaw operation.

These, and other short courses, can be offered on host properties where there is a group need for skills development.

Contact Mareeba Centre for Sustainable Agriculture on (07) 4086 3300 and visit the website http://www.aacc.edu.au/ for more information about AACC and the courses it offers.

AACC’s Mareeba Centre for Sustainable Agriculture offers a wide variety of courses and training from RPL to traineeships and everything in between and boasts friendly staff and instructors.

Graduates walk into jobs thanks to AACC training

2011-12-12T14:23:00.000+10:00