Vocational courses on offer for farmers and rural workers

Farmers forced off the land by the crippling drought will be offered free courses including auto electrics and bookkeeping as part of state government package to expand their future job prospects.

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Drought-stricken farmers forced off their land will be given training to expand their job options.

Farmers and farmhands without crops or livestock are increasingly hunting for “off-farm income” to tide them over until the worst drought on record breaks.

Times are just as tough for rural businesses buckling under the pressure of drought and attempting to avoid lay-offs by asking staff to do more.

Businesses in most rural regions have been forced to cut staff because of declining activity, particularly in the New England, capital, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven districts, according to the NSW Business Chamber.

David and Kelly-Ann Youni work at Burrendong Dam Reflections caravan park where all the water is nearly gone. Picture: Dean Marzolla

Now thousands of training courses are on offer to upskill farmers, farm hands and staff in rural businesses based in the 97 per cent of the state suffering through drought.

The courses include auto electrics, drone operations, chainsaw operations, excavator tickets, small engine maintenance, work health and safety, bookkeeping, farm management and business management.

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“We know that regional communities are doing it tough at the moment,” Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said.

“Our commitment of $5 million will fully subsidise skills training for farmers and regional business owners impacted by the drought and looking to transition into new or updated career opportunities.

“While the drought affects whole communities, not all businesses rely on crops or livestock and this commitment can help farmers and regional business owners formalise their skills, upskill or diversify to engage in off-farm employment.”

The courses will be offered by TAFE NSW or about 370 private vocational training colleges with a government contract to address skills shortages.

Skills and Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee. Picture: David Swift.

It’s good news for the management of nine inland holiday parks perched on the sides of near-dry dams run by Reflections Holiday Parks.

The flow of fishers and water-skiers that once flocked to the Burrendong Dam in the state’s central west region has slowed to a trickle as the water level has fallen to 4.9 per cent.

An army of casual staff usually employed to handle peak summer season at the Lake Burrendong holiday park won’t be employed this year, which means permanent staff are being called on to do more.

Already, groundsman David Youni is being trained to lop trees with chainsaws, which used to be carried out by arborists and he will this month undergo food services training so he can man the kiosk.

“When you don’t have water, you can’t attract people for water activities and the other is the rural economy is down, which impacts people’s ability to pay for overnight stays at our parks,” Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Steve Edmonds said.

“Our casual pool has decreased and our staff are being trained to do more.

“For instance, in the past a couple of our kiosks were managed externally and we’ve bought management in-house.”