On the fast-track from apprentice to farm manager

Deliarna (Del) Bruce is still only in her 20s and confidently managing a dairy farm in the Maruia Valley, but it wasn't always this way for the former apprentice who is the first to admit that she used to second guess herself.

"I was worried that I wasn't good enough, or smart enough to step up, but when you get thrown in the deep end you surprise yourself with how much you know," says Del, who is also the winner of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards West Coast/Top of The South Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Having grown up on a dairy farm, Del has always wanted to be a dairy farmer, and while she understood the practical side of things, she embarked on a NZ Apprenticeship in Dairy Farming with Primary ITO because she felt the need to develop her theoretical knowledge.

"I still refer to my textbooks from my apprentice days - they're not gathering dust on a shelf somewhere. The apprenticeship gave me the confidence to do things, more than anything.

"I learned to trust my judgement because there's a lot more to running a dairy farm than just milking cows and putting them back in a paddock."

In her previous role, Del was 2IC (second in charge) on a 280 herd dairy farm, and her goal was to work up to a manger's position, but circumstances led to her fast-tracking her career to return home and help her mum manage the family farm.

Del has two pieces of advice for people who do an apprenticeship: "Know your limits. Recognise when you're getting tired - spring time tests you - and keep on top of it because once you burn out it is hard to come back.

"And you can't do it on your own. It helps to have supporters and a supportive boss who wants you to learn as well. I was very lucky because my last boss was good like that," says Del.

Primary ITO's dairy farming apprenticeships are for anyone over the age of 16 ready to take on Level 4 training. Training Advisers guide and mentor trainees through their course, but more importantly help them develop and achieve quarterly goals within the apprenticeship programme, as well as farm goals and personal goals.

Primary ITO is offering $500 off Dairy Apprenticeships until the end of June. Visit www.dairytogether.co.nz for more information.