Published Tuesday, 29 July, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Top marks for Nambour State High’s agriculture programs
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin went back to school today and gave top marks to Nambour State High School’s agriculture curriculum.
Mr Mulherin said the staff and students were doing a great job in an area that has an increasing demand for people with the kinds of skills that Nambour SHS was providing.
“Nambour State High has a long tradition in agricultural education, being first known as the Nambour Rural School, and continues to be a driving community force for promoting agriculture as a viable career,” he said.
“Nambour was one of the first state high schools in Queensland to teach agriculture, and currently has around 40% of their students studying agriculture-related subjects.
“The school’s agriculture set up is very impressive – from their commercial dairy farm to the 22 hectares of crops, plant and other animals - providing a real hands-on experience for students.”
Mr Mulherin said primary industries was a key career sector for Queensland, employing more than 78 000 people and increasing its workforce by 10 per cent since just last year.
“With south east Queensland set to have the most rapid population growth in Australia over the next 10 years, it is imperative that we have a skilled workforce in primary industries to sustain this growth,” he said.
“It is with the support of schools such as Nambour State High that we are building this skills base for tomorrow.
“The students I met today already have their careers on track with further studies in agriculture planned post school.
“To build on this enthusiasm, the Queensland Government is launching a Gateway Schools for Agribusiness model to engage with schools and give students the tools and curriculum to maximise their opportunities.
“This is part of our fresh approach to ensuring that agricultural education and training is relevant to the current and future needs of the industries involved.
“The model will be a joint industry and government program that will equip students with on-the-job qualifications while still at school through work placements, apprenticeships or cadetships leading directly to employment.
“The pilot of this model will be based in the Dalby region, but once established will be rolled out to the Burdekin, Emerald and Longreach to give schools like Nambour the opportunity to participate.
“These Gateway Schools will be aligned with their regional agricultural college to enhance training delivery and tap into each region’s unique industry focus.
“Having seen the work Nambour is doing to cultivate enthusiastic young people for agriculture; I can see a bright future ahead for statewide industry growth.”
The Gateway Schools for Agribusiness model is being rolled out by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in partnership with the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
Media: 3239 6530
Mr Mulherin said the staff and students were doing a great job in an area that has an increasing demand for people with the kinds of skills that Nambour SHS was providing.
“Nambour State High has a long tradition in agricultural education, being first known as the Nambour Rural School, and continues to be a driving community force for promoting agriculture as a viable career,” he said.
“Nambour was one of the first state high schools in Queensland to teach agriculture, and currently has around 40% of their students studying agriculture-related subjects.
“The school’s agriculture set up is very impressive – from their commercial dairy farm to the 22 hectares of crops, plant and other animals - providing a real hands-on experience for students.”
Mr Mulherin said primary industries was a key career sector for Queensland, employing more than 78 000 people and increasing its workforce by 10 per cent since just last year.
“With south east Queensland set to have the most rapid population growth in Australia over the next 10 years, it is imperative that we have a skilled workforce in primary industries to sustain this growth,” he said.
“It is with the support of schools such as Nambour State High that we are building this skills base for tomorrow.
“The students I met today already have their careers on track with further studies in agriculture planned post school.
“To build on this enthusiasm, the Queensland Government is launching a Gateway Schools for Agribusiness model to engage with schools and give students the tools and curriculum to maximise their opportunities.
“This is part of our fresh approach to ensuring that agricultural education and training is relevant to the current and future needs of the industries involved.
“The model will be a joint industry and government program that will equip students with on-the-job qualifications while still at school through work placements, apprenticeships or cadetships leading directly to employment.
“The pilot of this model will be based in the Dalby region, but once established will be rolled out to the Burdekin, Emerald and Longreach to give schools like Nambour the opportunity to participate.
“These Gateway Schools will be aligned with their regional agricultural college to enhance training delivery and tap into each region’s unique industry focus.
“Having seen the work Nambour is doing to cultivate enthusiastic young people for agriculture; I can see a bright future ahead for statewide industry growth.”
The Gateway Schools for Agribusiness model is being rolled out by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in partnership with the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
Media: 3239 6530