Exciting opportunity for year 12 students

Students finishing year 12 this year are being offered an opportunity to gain paid, on-farm work at a local dairy farm next year.

The programme, which is part of Dairy Australia’s industry based Dairy Gap Year Programme, will match interested students with a farm. It provides an insight into the agriculture industry 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 be enrolled in a Certificate in Agriculture while undertaking their gap year. The industry has sourced farms with 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 further 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 miking, 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.”

As part of the recent Federal Budget, the government 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 for Youth Allowance (student) or ABSTUDY purposes. This means the programme will provide a great opportunity for those finishing year 12 this year and looking to further tertiary study in 2022*.

A dairy gap year will provide participants with a great experience and help stand out as a potential employee or assist in university interviews.

For further information, contact GippsDairy’s Sarah Cornell on 0437 400 316 or at sarah@gippsdairy.com.au