Lighthouse Project
Agricultural & Environmental Science
Promoting agricultural and environmental science to students and teachers
On June 6, the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project delivered a forum promoting agricultural and environmental science to both students and teachers at Shepparton High School.
Lighthouse Project Coordinator Carla Miles said the inaugural event aimed to plant a seed with Year Levels 7 & 8 about the growing opportunities that lie particularly within agribusiness by showcasing the diversity of jobs in the sector. “The youngest secondary students are being targeted before they start making decisions about subject selection and career pathways”, she said.
“Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project’s community engagement initiative, One Thousand Conversations, showed there was a poor understanding and low interest in jobs on offer in the agribusiness sector among students, parents and teachers. At the same time employers in the sector reported not being able to find appropriately skilled and motivated staff.
Locally, we know there is a decline in student uptake of agricultural and environmental subjects (including Geography and some sciences), however around Australia, and indeed worldwide we know there is renewed interest in studying and working in agricultural science”.
Eight guests working locally within the industry spoke to students and teachers in a “speed-careering” format, sharing their stories about their current role, how they got there and what they like about their job. The forum was repeated for teachers during their staff meeting, as a professional development opportunity in an attempt to improve understanding of the region, pertinent professions and opportunities for expanding links between curriculum and industry.
Speakers included:
- Sam Birrell, Committee for Greater Shepparton
- Warwick Long, ABC radio – Rural journalism
- Aimee Snowden – Agricultural science enthusiast/ “Lego farmer”
- Mitchell McNab – horticulture and technology
- Tracy Taylor, Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group – Environmental planning
- Jenny Morley, Cheeky Grog Co – orchardist/cidery owner
- Ben Ruscoe, Commonwealth Bank – Agribusiness
- Andrew Shields, Goulburn Murray Water – Engineer
Ms Miles hopes the forum will become an annual event and expand to reach more students and teachers in the region. “The forum complements other industry linking activities that Shepparton High School has been implementing in partnership with Lighthouse over the past year, and a range of other ongoing initiatives at SHS and beyond, such as the Food and Fibre Careers day at Dookie.”
Linking schools (curriculum and students) to industry is part of the concerted community-driven action that Lighthouse anticipates will build the hope, engagement and aspiration required for regional prosperity. National and international research confirms the need to strengthen links between education, community and business to improve young people’s access to employment.
Early exposure to the world of work will inevitably translate to more successful transitions for young people into post school, education, training and employment. Students also need a sound understanding of the world and region they live in, so they can make meaningful contributions to it.
