Agriculture, Animals, Science and the Environment

When you complete this course you will be ready for a career in Shearing Shed Hands or Wool Handler.

You will have the skills and knowledge to handle wool and work in a shearing shed.

You will learn skills penning sheep, performing board duties, pressing wool, and prepairing sheep for shearing and crutching.

You will also learn about first aid, effective communication,responding to emergencies, and safety in the workplace.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

Open the gate to a career in Agriculture. If you are interested in gaining hands-on agricultural training, this program is designed for you. Our Certificate II in Agriculture provides a general introduction to agriculture skills and techniques. This qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you completed this course you will be ready for a career in agriculture. This qualification provides a general vocational outcome in agriculture. The qualification enables individuals to select a livestock production, horticulture or livestock context as a job focus or, in the case of mixed farming enterprises, both horticulture and livestock.
You will have the skills and knowledge to perform tasks in a variety of contexts, which involve some judgement in selecting equipment and services.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course you will be ready for a career in agriculture. You will have the skills and knowledge to become a specialist within the agriculture industry. It is designed to meet the needs of supervisors or team leaders in the agriculture industry.

Individuals with this qualification will take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems. Job roles vary across different industry sectors and include Farm team leader or Farm supervisor.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course, you will be ready for a career in dairy or livestock farming. You will have skills and knowledge in stock handling and feeding, milking operations, workplace health and safety, farm maintenance and machinery and equipment operation. You will also learn about first aid, effective communication, responding to emergencies and safety in the workplace.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to manage risks associated with chemical use, and to understand your obligations in the areas of duty of care, quality assurance and environmental management.

Participants will learn on a practical level how to improve their integrated pest management programmes, to better choose the right chemical for the job and to apply it more accurately.  The course is designed for people who will be spraying chemicals without supervision.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited units: AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases and AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals

This one-day course is an essential update for primary producers in all aspects of chemical use and is designed to maintain AusChem WA accreditation. It covers new information in environmental safety, personal and occupational health and safety, legislation, spraying and calibration techniques, residues and resistance to chemicals.

This course is suitable for:
    farmers/food producers
    people employed by a shire (not those contracting to a shire)
    DEC employees spraying on DEC land
    National Resource Management employees spraying on their land (not contract sprayers doing the job)
    mine rehabilitation and weed eradication employees where they are spraying on mine land.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited units AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases

Description

This course is for those seeking to obtain the mandatory licence required to meet Health Department requirements for a Pest Management Technician licence if you are spraying chemicals for commercial gain.
If only a backpack or hand held device is used for spot spraying then this course is suitable.
It may lead to employment in Lawn & Garden, Landscaping, Bushland & Mine Site Rehabilitation.

Skills and knowledge elements include:
    Common weeds found in WA
    Common weed controls used in WA (following Integrated Pest Management strategies)
    Safe disposal of chemical residue and containers
    Correct Personal Protective Equipment for selected control measures
    Understanding a chemical label, schedules and use of chemicals
    Understanding Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
    Groups of chemicals and their formulations

The Backpack course is held over three days, covering three units of competency.

Those that enrol in the Boomspray course attend the first three days and then two additional days to complete the extra three units.

Participants will learn to safely and competently use chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases in a range of contexts.
The course covers legislation, labelling, personal and environmental safety, pest management, application, record keeping and managing risk.

Participants will learn on a practical level how to improve their integrated pest management programmes, to better choose the right chemical for the job and to apply it more accurately.  The course is designed for people who will be spraying chemicals without supervision.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited units:

• AHCPMG301 – Control weeds
• AHCCHM307 – Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases
• AHCCHM304 – Transport and store chemicals

The Basic Beekeeping Skillset is an entry level qualification providing learners with skills and knowledge to employment as a beekeeper or for hobbyist beekeepers. The skillset describes the basic skills and knowledge required by a honeybee (Apis) beekeeper, to operate a beehive or small apiary - including assembling a hive, using a smoker when opening a hive and manipulating the brood and inspecting for pests and diseases. The skillset provides credit towards the Certificate lll in Beekeeping. AHC31818 Clll Beekeeping

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge of a honey bee (Apis) beekeeper, including the establishment of beehives and apiaries, the transport of live bees and the management of bees for honey production and/or provision of pollination services.

Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to beehive ownership and biosecurity codes of practice apply in some states and territories.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

The Beekeeping Taster Short Course is a one day interactive workshop in which participants will be familiarised with basic equipment and tools for safe use of required beekeeping equipment. This in a non-accredited one day workshop.

The day includes

• Apiary tour
• Feeding bees
• Equipment and tools
• Honey Tasting
• Flora Walk
• A take home gift

The Broadacre Harvest Operations Skill Set will give anyone new to the agricultural industry the skills and knowledge to safely undertake employment for harvest operations in the broadacre sector. You will gain the knowledge to safely operate a range of machinery used for harvest, for example a tractor, header, auger and chaser-bin.
This skill set is ideal for anyone wanting to enter the agricultural industry and gain employment as a farm worker during harvest. It may appeal to school leavers, career changers, or anyone wanting to update their skills according to current industry practices and equipment.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following units

• AHCWHS301 Contribute to work health and safety processes 
• AHCMOM305 Operate specialised machinery and equipment
• AHCBAC308 Undertake agricultural crop harvesting activities

This course covers the process of maintaining, preparing and operating hand-held chainsaws in a work environment.

These skills can be transferred to the homestead, are useful for home gardners and could lead to employment in parks and gardens or landscaping.

You will gain skills and knowledge in understanding the correct type of chainsaw for a particular task, how to use the chainsaw, maintain the chainsaw and store suitable personal protective equipment.

You will also carry out routine checks and maintenance on a chainsaw, apply appropriate chainsaw techniques, cutting methods according to manufacturer’s specifications and documented low risk work procedures; assess and minimise environmental impacts of chainsaw use; maintain records of chainsaw training and certification, risk assessment and use.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited unit AHCMOM213 Operate and Maintain Chainsaws

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow instructions and direction for safe handling, storage and use of chemicals.

The unit applies to individuals who undertake a range of defined routine activities alongside a supervisor in most situations. They exercise limited autonomy within established and well-known parameters and identify and seek help for simple problems.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited unit AHCCHM101 Follow basic chemical safety rules

Get started on your career in conservation and ecosystem management

This qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge in conservation and ecosystem management for Indigenous land management, lands, parks and wildlife services and the restoration and rehabilitation of ecosystems..

 Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information

When you complete this course, you will be ready for a career in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. You will have the skills and knowledge to skills and knowledge for work or further learning in the conservation and ecosystem management industry. The qualification provides for work roles encompassing a broad range of skills, or can be focused on one or more specialisations, including:

• Indigenous land management
• Ecological restoration
• Land, parks and wildlife management
• Pest controller
• Conservation earthworks
• Marine operations
• Fire management

Individuals with this qualification perform a range of conservation and ecosystem management activities including, site restoration, rehabilitation and renewal and management of the rural and natural landscapes, degraded sites and marine environments. They contribute to the preservation and maintenance of wildlife and their habitat in the natural ecosystem, parks and reserves. Activities frequently involve working with and preservation of indigenous culture and heritage resources.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course you will be ready for a career in conservation and ecosystem management. You will have the skills and knowledge required for specialised or skilled work in the conservation and ecosystem management industry.

The qualification provides for advanced skills and/or supervisory roles in a broad range of conservation and ecological work or can focus on areas of specific needs including: supervisory and management, indigenous land management, ecosystem management, pest controller, and fire management.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

The local skill set Entry into working in Agriculture has been developed to assist and address labour shortages in the agriculture sector. The training will be targeted to new local entrants to provide strength in the local workforce.

Students who complete the skill set can expect to find employment in entry level positions as a labourer. The farm labourer role may be in small to medium business or in large corporate agricultural operations. On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited units:

• AWCWH201  Participate in work health and safety
• AHCCHM201 Apply chemicals under supervision
• ACHMOM202 Operate tractors
• AHCMOM204 Undertake operational maintenance of machinery
• AHCCHM101 Follow basic chemical safety rules

Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people — providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

In this skill set you will design and install a permaculture system over a 9-week period, following the project from start to finish. Learn how to conduct basic soil tests and install water catchment systems such as swales and earth berms to ensure your new garden thrives.

Studying one day a week you will learn

• How to test, assess and improve your soil to suit the needs of your plants
• How to create a successful compost heap to give you a quick and easy source of compost
• What sort of pests and diseases you might find in your garden and how to design a system that reduces the need for pest and disease treatments
• How to successfully integrate animals into your system to save money on fertilisers and reduce labour needed in the garden

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited units:

• AHCPHT215        Plant horticultural crops
• AHCPMG202      Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders
• AHCSOL203         Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing

This course is for any interested people that want to learn a more about gardening and general horticultural practices. Such people may want to commence their own business or seek employment as a nursery hand within established horticultural businesses. There are no pre-requisites for this course aside from a strong interest in this industry area.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course, you will be ready for a career in horticulture, working with plants as school or council gardener, groundskeeper, or self-employed landscaper. You will have the skills and knowledge to work effectively in the horticultural industry, implement propagation plans, control weeds, pests, and diseases, safely prepare, store, and apply chemicals, install irrigation, create plant displays, plant identification and nutrition, and workplace safety and health.

South Regional TAFE Campuses have well designed horticulture facilities.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

This qualification allows individuals to develop post-trade skills and knowledge across a broad coverage of the industry prior to undertaking higher level roles in the industry.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course, you will be ready for a career in horticulture. You will have the skills and knowledge to establish and manage horticultural enterprises. You will attain the skills required to be able to specifically manage plant health programs, provide specialist advice, develop production plans and carry out financial tasks associated with estimates, tenders and quotes.

Successful completion of this qualification provides you with the opportunity to find employment in supervisory, consultant and specialist roles within the industry. 

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

This qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to assist in collecting and preparing samples and to carry out, measure and record results of experiments in the physical, chemical, biological or life sciences. You will learn skills in maintaining a laboratory, routine sampling and testing, recording data, and using laboratory computing programs. You will also learn how to prepare cultures, perform sterile techniques and assist with field work.    

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course, you will be ready for a career in laboratory techniques. You will have the skills and knowledge to perform a range of laboratory techniques, including manual, semi-automated and fully automated, to collect and prepare samples in a laboratory. 

This qualification reflects the role of workers who conduct a wide range of basic, and limited range of specialist tests across a variety of industry sectors. Workers may be required to assist other personnel to solve technical problems and to adjust formulations and production mixes. They may also train them to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.

Workers have responsibility for their own outputs according to established procedures. Work is carried out according to established procedures often under the direction and supervision of laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical professionals. Work is normally subject to frequent progress and quality checks.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course, you will be ready for a career in landscape construction. You will have the skills and knowledge to design garden landscapes or renovate existing gardens. Students will also learn how to select materials and plants for landscape projects, set out and landscape a range of sites, and construct stone, brick, block and timber structures and features, about irrigation installation and safety in the workplace.  You will gain a range of trade skills, build a strong foundation of landscape theory and hands-on knowledge and lean to transform a plain space into a natural oasis

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

This unit Maintain Indoor Plants, teaches the skills and knowledge required to maintain and care for indoor plants and is for people who wish to further their knowledge to care for their own plants, or to boost their skills to gain employment in the retail nursery industry.

This course will take you through the process of operating tractors with or without attached equipment and defines the standard required to:    
•    carry out pre-operational checks and maintenance including tagging defects
•    set and secure attachments according to manufacturer's directions
•    operate tractor in a safe and controlled manner
•    implement shut-down procedures
•    store machinery and equipment
•    record maintenance and operation details

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited unit AHCMOM202 Operate Tractors

This course covers the process of maintaining, preparing and operating hand-held chainsaws in a work environment.

These skills can be transferred to the homestead, are useful for home gardners and could lead to employment in parks and gardens or landscaping.

You will gain skills and knowledge in understanding the correct type of chainsaw for a particular task, how to use the chainsaw, maintain the chainsaw and store suitable personal protective equipment.

You will also carry out routine checks and maintenance on a chainsaw, apply appropriate chainsaw techniques, cutting methods according to manufacturer’s specifications and documented low risk work procedures; assess and minimise environmental impacts of chainsaw use; maintain records of chainsaw training and certification, risk assessment and use.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited unit AHCMOM213 Operate and Maintain Chainsaws

This qualification provides a vocational outcome in parks and gardens. The parks and gardens industry expects this qualification to be achieved to meet job outcomes at this level.

This course is an apprenticeship:  you must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation to study. To find out more regarding apprenticeships click here.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course you will be ready for a career in permaculture. Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people - providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.
You will have the skills and knowledge to work either independently or in teams to establish and maintain permaculture systems for private clients, organisations or community entities. This qualification is designed to provide you with a range of practical skills, technical training and communication skills for a career in permaculture, specialising in the areas of nursery, gardening, landscape design and project coordination.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.

It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people — providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

Design your own propagation program and grow the plants needed for a permaculture food forest in our temperate climate.

Save hundreds of dollars and reduce your carbon footprint by propagating locally sourced plant material and incorporating upcycled materials into your garden system.

Studying one day a week for 9 weeks, you will learn:

• Plants commonly used in Permaculture systems, and their uses
• How to grow new plants from cuttings and seed
• How to propagate plants by grafting, layering and division
• How to create the optimal growing media for growing permaculture plants
• How to best care for, water and feed your plants for continued success.

When you complete this course you will be ready for a career in horticulture.

You will have skills and knowledge in 

• soil sampling and improvement
• plant nutrition
• crop planting and regulation
• harvesting
• weed control, including the safe use of chemicals
• different production environments including organics
• composting

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information. 

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for job roles in the production horticulture and floriculture industry including field worker, seeding person, operator, irrigation maintainer, machinery maintainer and leading hand.

Individuals with this qualification perform tasks involving a broad range of skills that are applied in a wide variety of contexts, which will involve discretion and judgement in selecting and operating equipment, coordinating resources and applying contingency measures during work.

A 2 day pruning course, ideal for workers in the viticulture industry. As part of this course, you will learn the best time for pruning, correct pruning techniques and the safe and effective use of equipment.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited unit FDFWGG2003A - Hand Prune vines

This skill set aims to provide students with the confidence and skills required to choose a pathway towards further education or employment. Personal, social and employability skills will be developed while working in an outdoor hands-on work environment. The practical nature of the course helps to engage the students while improving their ability to communicate and participate in a team project. The skills learnt will be transferrable to different employment and study areas.

Educational outcomes for learners who complete the Room to Grow Skill Set include the development of communication strategies, personal development strategies, confidence to seek further employment or educational opportunities and Community participation/group project.

Student can expect to be in the nursery/garden doing propagation/planting hands on most days.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited units:

• GATLSS102 Use learning and support strategies
• LWAPRO102 Participate in a team project
• AHCNSY207 Undertake propagation activities
• AHCPHT215 Plant horticultural crops

When you complete this course you will be ready for a career in the Shearing Industry and be able to shear sheep to Novice Level. You will have the skills and knowledge to prepare handpieces for machine shearing, position and crutch sheep, maintain and service shearing equipment and assist with shearing shed activities. 

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

You will have the skills and knowledge to shear sheep to a professional standard with increased speed and accuracy, with knowledge of how the Shearing Industry works, wool quality and Work Health and Safety.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

Shearers play a key role in the Australian wool industry and training proficient shearers is essential to the success of this industry.

The Shearing Skill Set will deliver practical training and support and provide you with a sound foundation to build a career in this important industry. Participants will gain the skills and knowledge to handle sheep humanely and use machinery and equipment to shear and crutch sheep.

At the completion of this training you will be work-ready for the shearing and wool handling industry and should be shearing a minimum of 40 adult merino sheep or 50 adult cross bred sheep per day to industry standards.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following units:

AHCLSK217 Apply animal welfare principles to handling and husbandry of livestock
AHCSHG201 Crutch sheep
AHCSHG203 Shear sheep to novice level
AHCSHG205 Grind combs and cutters for machine shearing
AHCSHG206 Prepare handpiece and downtube for machine shearing
AHCSHG210Undertake basic shearing and crutching

Study modes and duration differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

Learn how to safely de-limb a fallen tree this short course is suitable for arborists, forestry workers and chainsaw operators. You will learn how to assess fallen branches and plan cuts to ensure they are undertaken correctly and safely. You will also carry out routine checks and maintenance, and apply appropriate techniques and cutting methods according to industry standards and documented low-risk work procedures.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following nationally accredited unit FWPCOT2239 - Trim and cut felled trees

This qualification will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to meet the needs of managers in the viticulture industry.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required for operational workers in the wine industry. These workers carry out skilled tasks under broad direction in a range of sectors, including:

• Procedural and technical tasks in bottling and packaging, cellar operations and laboratory testing
• Customer service tasks in cellar door
• Tasks related to wine grape growing, harvesting and post-harvesting

Successful completion of this qualification and suitable experience provides you with the opportunity to become a professional wool classer.

You will have the skills and knowledge to sort, classify and grade wool into various types for sale in the market.  You will learn skills in supervising work routines, staff performance, training, determining wool classing strategies, managing shearing and crutching operations, classing wool for special markets, providing information and advice on wool preparation, and implementing and monitoring quality assurance procedures.

Study modes and duration differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

You will have the skills and knowledge of a range of practical skills, technical training, and communication skills for a career in Wool Classing.
 

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

When you complete this course you will be ready for a career in the wool industry as a wool handler or an agriculture assistant.
You will have the skills and knowledge to handle wool and assisting in a shearing shed. You will learn skills in penning sheep, performing board duties, assisting with pressing wool and preparing sheep for shearing and crutching. You will also learn about first aid, effective communication, responding to emergencies and safety in the workplace.

Study modes and durations differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

Get started as a wool handler or a shed hand by studying the Wool Handling Skill Set.

You will learn how to assist shearing teams and prepare fleece wool for classing as well as how to carry out wool pressing.

Participants will also learn a range of shed duties including penning sheep, preparing facilities for shearing and crutching and monitoring the welfare of sheep.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following units:

AHCWOL308 Prepare facilities for shearing and crutching
AHCWOL311 Perform shed duties
AHCWOL304 Prepare fleece wool for classing
AHCWOL305 Prepare skirtings and oddments
AHCWOL310 Press wool for a clip

Study modes and duration differ depending on your local campus. Please check with your local campus for more information.

The Work in Agriculture Skill Set is the ideal introductory training opportunity for new entrants to the agriculture and rural industries. It is also suitable for school leavers, career changers and those wanting to update skills for current
industry practices and equipment.
Participants will gain a solid foundation in essential farming skills including health and safety, chemical handling, modern tractor and machinery operation and weed control.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the following units

AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases
AHCMOM202 Operate tractors
AHCMOM304 Operate machinery and equipment
AHCPMG301 Control weeds
AHCWHS301 Contribute to work health and safety processes
AHCWRK204 Work effectively in the industry

Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people - providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

On successful completion of this course, students will receive a statement of attainment for the relevant units depending on the cluster attended. Unit Information for each cluster is available in the following section. Join us for any of these two week short course workshops.