College students look to life on the farm

Past PITA graduate Paris Ternent-James congratulates and inspires the latest class of successful trainees at the 2014 graduation ceremony held at the Carterton Events Centre. PHOTO/MIKE HEYDON

Thirty-five secondary school students make up the latest Primary Industries Trades Academy (PITA) class to graduate with agricultural qualifications from the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

A graduation ceremony was held at the Carterton Events Centre last week for the class, which was comprised of students from Wairarapa, Wellington and Manawatu. The graduands had successfully completed a range of Level 1, 2 and 3 agricultural qualifications while at secondary school, Taratahi marketing and communications manager Yvonne Way said.

Agriculture in schools manager Josie Whaanga said PITA helped young students "experience a variety of primary industry career opportunities". The programme spanned from term 1 to the beginning of Term 4, leaving the rest of the term for students to focus on exams.

"Our PITA students experience on-farm days, spending time in a group environment with a Taratahi tutor, covering practical and theory skills. They also do work experience placements which is great because they can put into practice the skills they've learned with us during the year," Ms Whaanga said.

Past PITA graduate Paris Ternent-James was a guest speaker at the graduation ceremony and outlined her move to a full-time programme as a sheep and beef student at Taratahi, and her plans next year to study for the Massey University Diploma in Agriculture, delivered at Taratahi.

Ms Ternent-James became involved in agriculture when her family moved from Auckland to Masterton and the shift from a large city to small town was the first of many changes.

"Coming from a family where the last three generations have all been involved in hairdressing, I thought it was time to try something else. I put down the scissors and picked up a hand piece, swapped hair spray for a can of Raddle, dresses for shorts and heels for gumboots," she said.

The year she spent as a sheep and beef student was challenging and varied, during which time she learned fencing, butchery, ATVs, engineering, water, ag-chemicals, chainsaws, shearing, theory "and lots more".

"When I said I wanted variety, I really got it."

She encouraged the 2014 PITA graduates to stay in the industry and to continue to perform at the peak of their abilities.

"It does not matter what kind of background you come from, just put your best foot forward and give it your best. We're the future of agriculture."

The top three PITA students from Wairarapa included Flynn Wilkinson in Level 1 and Victoria Draper in Level 2. Finn Fowlds-Hartley was the most improved Wairarapa student.

The top Manawatu students were Meghan Curtis in Level 1, Henry Lockton in level 2. Caleb Gosney-Matehaere was most improved Manawatu student.