DairyPath sets up new career path for young dairy entrants

Young people wanting a career in dairy are getting support from a new program.

Career path: Participant Jessie Weaver joined the DairyPath program 18 months ago. The program provides professional and personal development for new entrants to the dairy industry who may feel overwhelmed by information as they look to establish a career in the sector .Picture: CHLOE SMITH

A NEW program aimed at helping young people get involved in the dairy industry is being trialled by Dairy Australia.

DairyPath is a program designed to tailor young people’s learning in their chosen dairy sector and currently has 11 participants.

DairyPath manager Sarah Thompson said the program was created as there was a lot of feedback from young people saying they were overwhelmed with information when looking at a career in the industry.

“This program helps to give them more structure,” Ms Thompson said.

“We need young people in the industry and dairy farmers need well trained staff.”

She said the program assisted participants with their professional and personal development.

“Each of them have different goals,” she said.

“In some cases, participants have made drastic changes to their career choice as they became aware of what suited them.”

Participant Jessie Weaver is 18 months into the program and working on a dairy farm in Undera after she realised she wanted to get more involved in the industry. “I was milking on a small dairy farm of about 240 cows and wanted a career in dairy and realised just milking wouldn’t cut it,” she said.

Ms Weaver said she wanted to see what was out there and eventually came across DairyPath. “I was then lucky enough to be accepted,” she said.

Ms Weaver said she took part in the program to prove something to herself.

“There is a common misconception that farmers are dumb — or not educated — so I wanted to do it to prove to myself that I’m not dumb and am quite educated,” she said.

She said the program helped her to keep on track to achieve her goals.

“Lots of people have goals or dreams but you really need structure to make them achievable,” Ms Weaver said.

Her main goal is to eventually get into cattle reproductive services.

“If you are a young person passionate about the industry DairyPath is a good way to get involved,” she said.

“It is great for networking — and I have met many great people who have had a major impact on my future.

“The program is self-motivating and it will give you the resources but you have to go out and utilise those resources yourself.”