Throughout Queensland there are currently 43 Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools with numbers growing every year. Participating schools are equipping the next generation of our industry with the the skills they will need for a career in agriculture.
One of the program’s newest members is Tully State High School who joined this year. Tully SHS has structured its program in a way that makes agriculture compulsory for years seven and eight with the the subject available as an elective from year’s nine to twelve.
The school is well resourced with a fifty head Droughtmaster stud -operated to industry standard – trial and stud
chickens, vegetable gardens, a red papaya plantation and regularly grows pumpkin and watermelons.
In year seven, students are introduced to the importance of agriculture and by growing their own vegetable gardens, learn about self-sufficiency. During Year eight, students complete a chicken feed trial and learn about the importance of animal welfare.
The hope is that after planted the seed of curiosity in years seven and eight, students will then elect to study Animal Husbandry in year’s nine to ten. In the senior years, students may also elect to study Senior Agricultural Science, in preparation for tertiary studies or complete Certificate II in Rural Operations, which caters to the practical oriented student.
The Animal Husbandry and Rural Operations students play an integral role in the management of the cattle stud and may choose to further their skills by choosing to exhibit the stud cattle at regional shows. The Rural Operations students are also responsible for the stud fencing and the production of our horticultural crops.
Tully State High School is very grateful for the support of Agribusiness Gateway Schools and recently utilised funding to complete an artificial insemination program, which was researched and supported by the Senior Agricultural Science students. With further funding, we are also planning to construct a new greenhouse in 2017, which will help alleviate the challenges associated with the tropical wet season.
Gateway to Industry Schools
The Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools program co-ordinated by the Queensland Government that aims to help young people make a successful transition from school into further education and/or employment. The project encourages partnerships between schools, training (VET), universities and industry to provide career opportunities for young people.
The program provides opportunities for students and school communities to engage in the diverse range of careers across businesses based on primary industries. Students will gain valuable experience in the industry while still at school, providing them with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about training and employment upon leaving school, and at the same time raising the profile of careers in the agribusiness sector.
For more information on the Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools Program, including details about current activities and projects, opportunities for students and teachers or how your school or business can get involved, contact the project manager.
Find your local Gateway School below: