Telford student success: Entire class of 2020 already employed

Telford is toasting its Massey Diploma in Agriculture Class of 2020 with all their graduates going directly into full-time employment in the rural sector after graduation.

Telford’s Programme Manager Debbie Rankin is thrilled for all the graduates and said: "We are so proud of them all – they’ve done all the hard work themselves and committed to two years training, we just want them to do well, they certainly deserve their success!"

Ms Rankin said she thought the successful 100% employment rate was due to all the students completing two years at Telford.

"They did the hard yards in the first year and they got out and got known, that first year is a key part of their success".

Telford is a faculty of Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and runs the Massey Diploma in Agriculture (DipAg) programme, with many students completing a certificate year prior to committing to the diploma in year 2.

The 2020 class of DipAg students were all farming systems students from 2019, having already gained a New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Farming Systems) (Level 3), which also incorporates the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (Level 3).

Ms Rankin stressed the importance of the role host farmers play in shaping Telford graduates.

"The students gain work experience on up to twelve different farms including our own commercial units, Telford Farms, and in the process, they’re exposed to many different styles of farming.

"At the same time, they’re also networking and making connections within the farming community and this is crucial to their success".

She said the diploma year is more academic and there’s not the same opportunity to do the networking, so certificate students really benefit in their first year at Telford, establishing connections and building relationships, and in some cases with their future employers.

DipAg graduate Anna Jordan is starting her new role as Shepherd at Pamu Lynmore – a Landcorp farm in the Te Anau basin, in early December. She just loved her time at Telford and how much knowledge she gained.

"I loved being able to do the dog training, and every day we learnt something new - I loved that it was different every day".

She said Telford’s Work Experience Coordinator pointed her in the right direction in finding her job.

"At Telford you know everyone, it’s like a community of friends and family – everyone supports everyone" she said.

The Massey Diploma in Agriculture will be offered at Telford in 2021 under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF), which means there are no course costs – students only pay direct material costs, and accommodation if residing on-campus.

 

For further information, contact Telford on 0800 835 367 or visit: www.sit.ac.nz/Telford