Exciting opportunity for students finishing Year 12

Students currently finishing Year 12 are being offered the opportunity to gain hands-on, paid work on local dairy farms as part of Dairy Australia’s industry based Dairy Gap Year Program.

This initiative will provide interested students with the opportunity to consider a career in agriculture, whilst undertaking a minimum of 12 months paid work on Victorian dairy farms.

To be eligible, students must have a driver’s licence and be prepared to enrol in a Certificate in Agriculture course while undertaking their gap year. The industry has sourced farms that have strong HR policies and are committed to offering a positive dairy experience. Students will be linked to a Group Training Organisation to ensure all award conditions are met.

Having worked on-farm for the past four years, two of those whilst completing VCE and two as gap years, 19-year-old Kyella McKenna said:

“I have been fortunate enough after finishing school to take the steps in following an agriculture career, which will lead me to a successful career in the dairy industry.

“The most enjoyable parts of working on-farm for me are working with animals day-to-day, the rearing of calves as well as animal health and nutrition.

“It is great to have learned about and actively take part in the various aspects to working on a dairy farm such as milking, working with the machinery and tractor work.

“I believe anyone can do what I have done. I don’t have a farming background but took an interest in it and I’m now doing something I love.

“I’d recommend working in the industry to all young people. It is hard work, but you have fun, work hard and best of all make money.”

In the recent Federal Budget, it was announced that from November 2020 to December 2021, a person who earns at least $15,000 through employment in the agriculture sector may be considered independent from their parents for Youth Allowance (student) or ABSTUDY purposes. Meaning this program will provide a great incentive to those finishing Year 12 now and looking to further tertiary study in 2022*.

This great opportunity is available to all, including those that haven’t previously considered a career in agriculture. A dairy gap year will provide participants with a great experience and will help them stand out to potential employers or assist in university interviews.

For further information, contact WestVic Dairy’s Career Coordinator, Jim Burrell on 0404 404 554 or jim@westvicdairy.com.au.