Business Rural North Spring 2021

52 | RURAL PEOPLE » Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training: Robyn Toon Students are well trained on farm at Cadet Lilly Deihl assisting with the drafting, while another cadet operates the gate. Waipaoa Station (below). Karen Phelps F eedback from prospective employers is that students that have been through the Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training Trust programme turn up “work ready”, says trust general manager Robyn Toon. Since being established in 2007 the trust has had 64 graduates placed in the sheep and beef industry. Around 20% have also gone on to univer- sity study further increasing their skills. The registered charitable trust and was set up by local industry leaders to fund, develop and run a land-based agricultural training programme. The training is based at Waipaoa Station, Gisborne, on an established hill country property totalling 1760ha and 16,000 stock units. Robyn says the training is a mix of theoretical, provided by Eastern Institute of Technology, and practical. Students end up with level three and four National Certificate qualifications. The course encompasses both the new tech- nology aspects of farming as well as traditional skills. For example students are well-trained in horsemanship with second year cadets completing the majority of their stock work on horseback. “We find it’s better for the terrain and also gives cadets the opportunity to ride into paddocks and really see the lie of the land, where stock is, where they need to put their dogs etc. It gives them great skills in mustering. They also spend two weeks learning how to break in a horse and leave the programme with two fully trained dogs.” Renowned sheep dog trialist Bob Bryson trains the cadets once a week. Farm manager Shaun Lit- tleworth is heavily invested in teaching the cadets the skills they need. General fencer Mark Ewart has many years of experience to pass on. “We only have ten students – five first year and five second year. We have around 40 school leavers apply a year.” Cadets have had good success in dog trials and fencing competitions as a result, says Robyn. She says self-discipline and teamwork are core areas of focus. The farm has no cell phone recep- tion so there is no opportunity for distraction and this means the programme also attracts people who are truly there to study and work, she says. “We only have ten students – five first year and five second year. We have around 40 school leavers apply a year for these spaces so it’s very sought after.” Opportunities for students post-graduation abound. Robyn says throughout the year she has employers ring her seeking staff. Graduates last year had the choice of three different jobs each, she says. “We install the skills, ethics, knowledge and disciplines that a young person needs in order to succeed in today’s agriculture industry. Graduates from our programme have a reputation for being well rounded, confident and motivated to achieve at the highest level. We believe we are leading the way in preparing future agricultural leaders. All who visit Waipaoa leave with a sense that they have experienced something special.” Importantly the Trust is solely reliant on sponsorship to continue its work training the next generation of farm workers. “It became evident during the pandemic that the primary industry is a vital part of New Zea- land’s recovery. We need to keep training young people to ensure that workforce is alive and well. Therefore it’s imperative that the farming industry continues to invest in what we are doing so we can keep supporting a better sheep and beef industry through high quality training of agribusi- ness people.” Ovation proudly supportingWaipaoa Station