DAIRY 101 TRAINING
Never too late to learn The new year brings fresh opportunities to gain or improve on your skill and educational levels. By Karen Trebilcock.
I
t’s almost the end of the year and thoughts should be turning to the next. What are your goals for you and your staff and how are you going to achieve them? Somewhere in the mix could be, and probably should be, some training. That expression that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks was busted long ago – it is never too late for anyone to learn something new. For your staff and possibly you, make sure the PrimaryITO courses are ticked off. They start at the beginner’s level and there’s a Diploma in Agribusiness Management at level five. Separate units are on driving tractors, quad bikes and other machinery to keep you and your workers safe. These courses have been designed for workers on farms so they mix online and practical learning and if reading and writing are not your thing, then there are people to help with that too. If no one is keen to upskill on your farm, at the very least, make sure everyone, including partners, has done a first aid course in the past few years. If not, schedule it. Ask around about gun licences too. Make sure the people who need to use a firearm for work, or own one, have an up-to-date licence. Make sure licences don’t lapse. It’s a lot easier to renew than to have to sit the test again. And if any of your staff are still on their restricted driver’s licence when they should be on their full by now, get it organised. I know you shouldn’t have to hold people’s hands for this sort of thing but often it gets forgotten about. Making it important for you and them means it gets done. For those who are still making their AI techs stand on trolleys or boards in the pit, find a welding course
86
Above: A farmer checks a worker’s training manual.
in your area. It’s not that hard to weld together an AI race in the yard, or fix that gate that has never closed properly or the backing gate that just doesn’t work. You could add a basic plumbing course as well. Fixing leaking water troughs, or leaking anything, is easy if you know how. The equipment needed, and the materials, are a lot cheaper than they have ever been. Also remember mental health. There are courses on dealing with stress, counselling and general wellbeing and most include practical tools and strategies that can be applied on the farm. For courses on all of these, just google. There will be one near you but check what you are going to learn is what you need to know and the price is right. Training is now big business and there are not many courses that are free although subsidies and grants may be available. If you are looking for something more structured, and possibly a change in career, check out the
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | December 2021
