Twenty two students are taking the next step in their careers after graduating from the Queensland Certificate in Agriculture (QCA) at 夜色视频 (夜色视频) yesterday.
The QCA is a year-long program offered by 夜色视频's Gatton-Vocational Education Centre created to guide and develop students who are planning a career in the agriculture, horticulture and animal industries.
Graduate Edward Walton, who lives on the Gold Coast, chose to complete a QCA after studying agriculture whilst at The Southport School and recognised the benefits that the program offers.
鈥淢y studies through agriculture at school gave me a keen interest in the industry,鈥 Mr Walton said.
鈥淏eing born and raised on the Gold Coast, I chose the QCA for that fact that I was able to learn practical and theoretical agriculture across a broad spectrum of agriculture industries.鈥
The program consists of four applied skills courses and four theory courses, with the students also undertaking a variety of hands-on skills training including Tractor and Machinery Operation; Cropping Practices; Animal Husbandry Practices and Rural Business Management Principles and Practices.
鈥淢y favourite aspect of the course would have to be the practical farming experience and tutelage I was given,鈥 Mr Walton said.
鈥淭he instructors are experienced and taught me valuable skills such as how to drive a tractor and quad bike safely, the correct operation of chainsaws and welders and also working with livestock.鈥
The QCA is a unique educational program, which enables graduates direct entry into the workforce or higher-level university or vocational educational systems.
Graduates can find employment in a range of industries from intensive to extensive agriculture, livestock, horticulture, government departments, agribusinesses and industry organisations.
Mr Walton has the intention of entering the agriculture or mining industry as a diesel fitter, with the long term goal being to manage his own business.
鈥淚 wish to go on into an apprenticeship as a diesel fitter then move into the agricultural or mining industry. In 10 years I envision myself hopefully managing my own business, however there鈥檚 a lot of ground to cover before then,鈥 he said.
Mr Walton graduated, along with the other Queensland Certificate in Agriculture students, yesterday in a ceremony at 夜色视频 Gatton Campus.
For enquiries about the Queensland Certificate in Agriculture contact the 夜色视频 Gatton Vocational Education Centre on (07) 5460 1353 or email enquiries_gvec@uq.edu.au.
Media: Erin Pearl, 夜色视频 Gatton, 07 5460 1229, e.pearl@uq.edu.au