Chisholm Institute conservation and land management student Stephanie Mastriangoli with Cranbourne Campus program coordinator Robyn Allen.CRANBOURNE’S Chisholm Institute is working hard to promote the benefits of working locally on the land as more and more people drift away from the drought-stricken occupation.
Conservation and land management program coordinator Robyn Allen said the opportunities in rural Victoria were great at the moment, particularly in catchment rehabilitation works, because of the drought.
“Water levels have been so low it’s given catchment management authorities an opportunity to get rid of stream-side vegetation that they might not have been able to do,” Ms Allen said.
“Diploma students, with their chemical certificates, are immediately ready to do any sort of spraying or weed removal.
“They have a chainsaw certificate and other machinery experience, so they are well-placed to step into a bushland crew position.”
Diploma of Conservation and Land Management student Stephanie Mastriangoli said Chisholm Institute’s hands-on and practical training had brought her closer to her lifelong dream.
A true environmentalist at heart, Ms Mastriangoli first enrolled in the Certificate IV and Diploma course last year after completing her VCE at Neerim District Secondary College.
Despite having grown up in the mountain country of West Gippsland, coming to the big smoke away from her family had never really been an issue.
“I enjoy being outside,” Ms Mastriangoli said.
“And Chisholm’s Cranbourne Campus lets us work in the wetlands with plants and animals.
“Last month we went on a field trip to French Island for a wildlife survey where we placed tracking bands on some of the birds in the area.
“Another highlight was our camp at Walhalla where we checked out old mine workings and forest fire recovery.”
Ms Allen said other career options included working as a park ranger, both in coastal and inland regions.
“Parks Victoria recognises our course as the preferred training for park rangers and because the qualifications are recognised Australia-wide, there are park ranger and summer ranger jobs all over Australia,” she said.
“What we try and do is give our students the basic skills and the underpinning knowledge, but they need to have a passion for conservation, be committed and prepared to get their hands dirty.”
For more information about Chisholm Institute’s conservation and land management course, including mid-year enrolment, contact the Cranbourne Campus on 5990 7172.
For general inquiries contact Chisholm’s Course Information Centre on 1800 MY TAFE.
