Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

Marketing

New centre meets demands of changing industry

Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE has created a new Centre for Agriculture, Irrigation and Land Management (CAILM) to work with industry to tailor courses to suit irrigators and irrigation service providers.

The aim of the Centre is to provide courses which will assist the water and irrigation industries remain viable and ensure sustainability. Later this year CAILM will offer Certificate III and Certificate IV courses in irrigation with the flexibility to cater for employees of irrigation enterprises or retail service providers.

In July 2009 CAILM is hosting a nationally recognised centre pivot and lateral move course which is designed for farmers who may be considering the purchase of a centre pivot or lateral move machine. The course will be led by irrigation expert Peter Smith from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI-NSW), and examines all factors for consideration and allows potential purchasers to evaluate with confidence the option which best suits their needs.

CAILM will also be working collaboratively with the DPI to deliver 'Irrigated Lucerne for Profit' early 2010. This course has proven popular nationally and is designed to enable fodder producers to maximise their productivity and water use efficiency.

Both of these courses are Farm Ready qualified which enables eligible participants to claim the cost of the course as part of their $1,500 per year Farm Ready training allowance.

CAILM Manager, Neil Aird, says they are working with DPI to deliver more Farm Ready courses to meet specific industry needs as they arise. "The irrigation industry is in a very exciting phase with many new products emerging from the many years of research."

"CAILM is seeking to be an integral part in the training associated with use and maintenance of these products which assist with the move toward sustainable integrated water resource management," said Mr Aird.

For further information on CAILM please call 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233).