Student Guides: How To Become a Rural or Farming Apprentice

So you want to grow a career in the agricultural Industry? But you don’t really know where to start? We've pulled together a guide of what's in an apprenticeship, how to get one and what the best part of getting involved in the industry!

What’s involved in this industry?

This category encapsulates more than careers involved with working on the land in primary industries. You could work in areas as diverse as animal care, landscape construction, winemaking or in a fishery.

If you enjoy physical work, being close to nature or animals, outdoor activity in varied weather conditions and have an interest in applied science then this industry could be for you.

What is an apprenticeship?
Australian Apprenticeships is the title that covers both apprenticeships and traineeships. Australian Apprenticeships are jobs that combine paid work and structured training.

With an Australian Apprenticeship you spend time in paid employment, learning practical skills on-the-job and putting them into practice.

Structured training can be done either on-the-job or off-the-job training at a TAFE or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO), depending on the industry you are in. At the end of it, you can get a nationally recognised qualification.

How long does it go for?
Apprenticeships generally last between thirty six to forty eight months. Traineeships generally take between twelve to twenty four months to complete.

How much do I get paid as an apprentice?
Employers are governed by the National Training Wage Award System. To see how much you are entitled to earn as a trainee, call the Australian Workplace Authority . How much you can earn can depend on things including how much education or training you already have, or a competency-based wage.
Wages could also depend on your age.

How much do I get paid when I’m qualified?

Livestock farmers usually earn around $690 per week. Jackaroos and Jillaroos usually earn around $670 per week. Far overseers earn around $800 pr week, while shearers can earn on average around $1333 a week.

The best part of the job?

"You can make good money, get paid to keep fit and travel anywhere you want. It's a skill for life." says Dwayne Black , champion sheep-shearer. "I love the camaraderie and the team effort of shearing. Everyone is working in sync and all working at 100 per cent and there is a great deal of team satisfaction."

Anything else cool to know about?

Looking for inspiration? Check out some Podcasts chatting to apprentices about how they felt entering their apprenticeship.

SkillsOne has loads of short clips about apprentices in the Rural and Farming Industry.

Trying to narrow down exactly what you want to do?

Several sites have Career Profiles and statistics about the jobs within the Agriculture industry that you might want to enter.

Check out:

My Future, which has an Industry profile of Agricultural based jobs .

Job Guide lists loads of jobs in the Rural industry.

Job Search has a listing of statistics about the industry - including job prospects and pay.

And SkillsOne, of course, has loads of Career Profiles.

Links to people who know how to grow a career with Agriculture!

Rural Women's Aard - http://www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au/

Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women - http://www.faaw.org.au/index.htm

Young Australian Rural Network - http://www.yarn.gov.au/

Rural Skills - http://www.ruralskills.com.au/

National Farmers Federation - http://www.nff.org.au/

Agri-food Industry Skills Council - http://www.agrifoodskills.net.au/

[Sourced from: Skills Tasmania, Job Juice, Job Guide, Job Search, SkillsOne, My Career, Australian Apprenticeships, My Career.]