STUDENTS in the Wimmera will be making some tough choices in the next few weeks about what they want to do after receiving their ATAR results.
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While many will choose to travel further afield to pursue higher education, there are a number of options closer to home to choose from.
Longerenong College is internationally recognised for the wide range of agriculture-focused courses it offers. Head of campus John Goldsmith said the college’s Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness was its most popular course.
“It does create a whole raft of career options and is really a well packaged course. The pathways include farming, all the way through to agribusiness management,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot of research into the career outcomes of the graduates and it's really amazing the range of options available.”
Students must successfully complete year 12 to get into the course, but no ATAR score is required.
“ATARs are only one measure of a students’ ability and potential,” Mr Goldsmith said. “What we’re after with our new students is that they have a passion and interest in agriculture.”
Mr Goldsmith said not many students from the Wimmera chose to study at the college.
“A big part of the tertiary experience is moving away to a new area. Maybe some local students also don’t consider the college as an option, and perhaps they should,” he said.
He said not many students from the Wimmera chose to study at the college.
“A big part of the tertiary experience is moving away to a new area. Maybe some local students also don’t consider the college as an option, and perhaps they should,” he said.
“We are one of the very few specialist agriculture colleges left in Australia. It was recently announced that a few colleges in Queensland will close next year, so we could potentially attract students from up north.”
The college will welcome its first international students in 2019.
For students wanting hands-on experience in the workforce, Skillinvest helps match people with available jobs.
Skillinvest regional acting general manager Dalton Burns said there were plenty of options available for people in a wide range of fields.
“For those wanting to do a trade, apprenticeships offer a great opportunity for them to learn while working in a trade environment. They can gain experience and learn skills from a qualified industry expert,” he said.
”We do a lot of traineeships, especially in business. It’s a great way for them to build the skills they need in an industry, and study while they are working.”
He said Skillinvest offered a number of pathways for people who didn’t receive the ATAR they desired.
“There are instances where people feel like a particular pathway they have chosen isn’t right for them. We do a lot of traineeships, especially in business. It’s a great way for them to build the skills they need in an industry, and study while they are working,” he said.
“We’re really pushing our business being local to the community. We have an office in Horsham and have about 200 apprentices or trainees employed within the region.”
Federation University has a Wimmera campus located in Horsham. Head of campus Geoff Lord said a wide range of programs would be offered in 2019.
“We are particularly pleased to provide our Bachelor of Nursing students the opportunity to access more face-to-face classes in Horsham,” he said.
“Nursing academic staff from Ballarat will hold blocks of intensive learning once a semester at the Wimmera Campus in 2019. There will be a particular focus on the practical and clinical elements for first and second year Bachelor of Nursing students.
“The Wimmera Campus also will offer plumbing next year, as well as electrical and automotive. We encourage interested students to contact us to discuss their study options, particularly about our range of Free TAFE courses.”
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