Hugh - student at Tocal College

Name: Hugh
Course title: Cert IV Agriculture, Diploma of Agriculture
Course location: Tocal College, CB Alexander Campus

Describe your typical day

Breakfast is at seven, so it’s an early start. Classes start usually 8:30am. ‘Smoko’ is at 10am, and class resumes about half past ten. Lunch is midday till 1pm. Afternoon class goes from about 1pm to anytime from 2:30 to 4:30, depending on the competency or task. After hours is free to do whatever, with dinner at 5:30. I’m generally free to go into town, unless it’s Monday, as we have Wool Classing classes from 6pm to 10pm each week. Lights out is around 11pm.

What attracted you to this course/profession?

Growing up on a multiple enterprise property in central NSW, I have always had a passion for agriculture. Having just completed my HSC last year I saw Tocal as a perfect option for continuing my education in agriculture. Ultimately I want to become a farm manager, and Tocal provided the perfect course to set me up for this in the future.

What subjects did you study at school?

For my HSC I studied Agriculture, Business Studies, General Mathematics, Standard English and Design & Technology.

What are your future job prospects looking like?

Having just started at Tocal, fresh out of high school, I haven’t been looking for a job yet however I hope to secure a position jackarooing on a cattle station in QLD or NT next year, after completed the course.

What keeps you motivated?

Well it was my choice to come to Tocal, and the best thing is it’s all Ag stuff, which is my future so I guess it’s what I want to do, so that keeps me going most of the time. But there are some good distractions too.

Who will you work with to do your job?

I guess I’ll be working with other labourers, farm hands, jackaroos, managers and owners, once I complete college.

What is the most interesting thing you have done, discovered or seen in the course of your studies?

Having only just started the course I haven’t really been here long enough to see anything astounding. But so far learning how to crutch sheep is the highlight.

How will your work benefit people and/or the environment?

As agriculture provides people with food, I guess that by going onto manage and produce crops, meat, milk, I’ll be directly supporting people with food. In regards to the environment, modern education has made me aware of the detrimental impacts of some of the practices we have been using in agriculture, but I’m also aware of the ways to fix, support and sustain the environment through correct and sustainable practices.

What advice do you have for students still at school?

I’d say that your future and the future of civilisation rest’s on the broad shoulders of youth today. When thinking of a career select one that interests you no matter what, and strive to pursue that too its full extent and your full capability.