Training helps ex-graphic designer excel in dairy industry

9 May 2012

Training helps ex-graphic designer excel in the dairy industry

Farm manager Silke Hackbarth was a graphic designer back in her native Germany, but a trip to New Zealand on a working holiday introduced her to farming, and she hasn’t looked back.

“I came to New Zealand about eight years ago for travelling and I thought I would only stay for six months. I’d never been on a farm before,” Silke says. “I looked for work like fruit picking, but it was winter and there weren’t many jobs around. I saw an ad on the internet from someone looking for a hand on his dairy farm during calving, no experience necessary. I have always liked animals, and I was lucky and got the job.

“From then on I found temporary work on other dairy farms, mainly milking. At the end of the working holiday I got a work permit which allowed me to come back to New Zealand for another year to do relief farm work. And finally I got a permanent job as a farm assistant.”

Silke fell in love with dairy farming and is now making a successful career out of it.

“In the beginning I only progressed slowly, I didn't have much of a plan, I didn’t know if or how long I would be able to stay in New Zealand,” she says. “But I found that I really liked working outside, I enjoyed the space on the farm. And I really liked the cows.

“Back in Germany I worked in an office, and sometimes I had a sore back or sore eyes from sitting in front of a computer all day. In the evenings I still had to go to the gym to get some exercise. On the farm the work is more practical, I might be tired in the evenings, but I have actually physically worked and achieved something.”

The variety of the work appealed to Silke, too.

“You get to do a lot of different things. Farming is interesting, because it includes so many topic areas, for example biology – dealing with cows and grass, maths –doing budgets or pasture management, chemistry – using fertiliser, detergents, ecology - effluent management, as well as communication and recording, monitoring and analysing of information.”

Silke is currently the sole charge manager of a 74 hectare dairy farm near Rotorua, milking approximately 210 cows. A desire to pursue excellence and learn more about her chosen industry drove her to up skill through training.

“I started studying with AgITO in 2007. I like to do what I do properly – I wanted to be sure to do things right and learn the correct way. I’ve completed National Certificates from Level 2 all the way to the Level 5 diploma now.”

She decided to enrol in AgITO’s National Diploma in Agribusiness Management (Level 5) after recognising that it would help her meet her career goals.

“I want to go sharemilking and be self-employed sooner rather than later. There’s another side of farming to the practical – the diploma will help with the financial side, like preparing cash flows and financial budgets and knowledge of taxation. I feel I’m prepared for self-employment.”

The National Diploma in Agribusiness Management covers the skills and knowledge essential for the successful management of a farm business. The qualification focuses on developing skills in business planning, financial and resource management and is achieved by completing two National Certificates. Diploma candidates must also complete a Property Report on the performance and opportunities of an agribusiness, tying all the skills and knowledge learned together.

The diploma is now also available as six modules that can be completed individually. This new approach allows people to up skill in a specific area. Breaking the qualification down into smaller parts also makes it easier for people to achieve the full diploma.

Modules focus on developing skills and knowledge in business planning, financial management, resource management, human resource management, ownership and risk, and taxation and investment.

Silke is moving to a new role in Galatea this June, a change that she hopes will help her get ahead.

“The farm is a little bit bigger with 320 cows and it's a different farming system. A farm assistant will work with me. It's a new challenge and new skills like managing staff, should help me to progress in my career.

"The diploma gave me a different view on things – I can see the farm owner’s side a lot more, if it involves costs for example. It also helps with the job search, because it's important to be able to compare farms and work out the potential production and income.”

“The tutorials are a good place to network and talk to other students. It's interesting to hear how things are going on their farms and what their experiences are. I think if you want to progress it’s important to have as much knowledge and as many qualifications as you can get – it’s only helpful.”

Silke is now anticipating her next moves and hopes to find a suitable contract milking job next season. She recommends the diploma to others wanting to progress.

To enrol or for more info about AgITO’s qualifications, call your local AgITO adviser on 0800 691 111 or visit www.agito.ac.nz.

About AgITO
Agriculture ITO (AgITO) provides leadership in education and training, develops national qualifications, maintains national standards and provides on-going support for their trainees and employers. AgITO training is subsidised by industry and Government. For more information on our qualifications, please visit www.agito.ac.nz.

ENDS

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