AgCAREERSTART: Young Aussies urged to take a gap year in the regions and kickstart their career in agriculture

A new gap year program aimed at giving those aged 18-25 the chance to live and work on a farm or station for a year has been hailed a godsend by two of WA’s most well known pastoralists. Challa Station owners Debbie and Ash Dowden knew what they were looking for when she signed up to the National Farmers Federation’s AgCAREERSTART program — a hardworking youngster they could teach new skills. On the other side of the country in the Sydney area of Penrith was the perfect station-worker match for the Dowdens, who have called Challa Station home since 1888. Brad Benge, 17, was a first year fabrication apprentice working in Eastern Creek, and he was bored. Looking for an adventure, he signed up to the AgCAREERSTART program. “Mum sent me the link because she saw it on the news… and I signed up,” he said. “They asked where I wanted to go and I said ‘anywhere’. And they sent me to WA.” Brad grew up in the city but spent most weekends mucking around at his grandfather’s hobby farm in Parkes. Since arriving on the station in March, he has set about putting his fabrication skills to good use building a loading race, mustering in buggies, completing maintenance, and installing a tank and pipeline. Brad regards the decision to move to Challa Station as the best he has ever made. His family are now considering moving to WA, so his younger sister can study nursing in Perth. With a father and a brother working as an electrician, his family — including his mother and other five-year-old sister — are now scoping out opportunities in the Mid West and the Wheatbelt. “This is the best place I’ve ever been,” Brad said. “I love being out here. I love being away from the city and suburbs, and being in the middle of nowhere. “Especially now after the rain, everything is green.” Brad said every day on the station was different and he felt Ash and Debbie were filling to teach him “everything”. “I’m going to stay on the station as long as I can. I can’t see why I would leave,” he said. The premise of the AgCAREERSTART program is simple — to fill the employment gap in the agriculture industry with school leavers and to give them the chance to gain hands-on experience in grains, livestock, horticulture and dairy. It’s easier said than done. But in Brad and Debbie’s case, it has worked. Debbie said the program had exceeded her expectations, in terms of how much of an asset Brad had been and the huge amount of support offered by the AgCAREERSTART team. “I was Googling ‘agricultural workers’ and stumbled across the program,” she said. “It is hard to get workers, and we wanted to find someone who wanted a long-term career in agriculture. We thought the program would attract the same type of person we wanted to employ.” Brad flew into Perth, and Debbie drove the 620km to pick him up. “He’s so willing to learn, and we wanted someone who we could shape to fit our business,” Debbie said. “Brad is very mature for a 17-year-old and it has been so brave of him to come all the way here.” More than 300 people were placed with farmers across the country during the first year of the AgCAREERSTART program this year. Participants spend 10 to 12 months on farms or stations and gain a nationally-recognised qualification. Each participant is paid, receives relocation assistance, and undertakes safety training. They also build industry connections and enjoy a taste of a regional lifestyle and living, with the chance to stay at the property. National Farmers Federation CEO Tony Mahar said the program helped youngsters learn new skills while helping farmers find staff. “The impact of Australia’s labour shortage is being felt across the country, with $22 million in crop losses already reported,” he said. “Many of the participants are moving out of home for the first time and learning essential life skills such as cooking, problem-solving skills, and undertaking training that will help in their future careers... obtaining a first aid certificate, truck licence or forklift ticket.” NFF this month launched round two of AgCAREERSTART, with applications for farmer hosts and participants available online. Brad has some words of advice for those thinking about taking part in the program. “Chase your dreams. Don’t let anything stop you,” he said. And Debbie has some words for those considering signing up as hosts. “It has exceeded our expectations,” she said. To find out more, visit agcareerstart.com.au.