Course trainer Des Ryan congratulated all participants for their efforts and spoke passionately about the opportunities the course provides.

Mr Ryan said dairying has come a long way in the past few decades and that today's farmer needs to master a wide range of skills, from operating machinery, to pasture and herd management and running a business.

Farmers need to be able to respond to a dynamic market and changing regulations and the NSW dairy Farm Training Program has been developed by the dairy industry to meet these needs based on national competency standards.

It leads to a qualification that is recognised nationwide and the traineeship structure allows participants to be paid while they study.

Mr Ryan said that positions are currently available at Bega TAFE for next year, so anyone looking for something that covers all aspects of dairy farming, can be taken over one, two or three years, involves practical demonstrations and hands-on learning and offers farm visits and tours to other districts, should enrol now.

Awardees

Following are the names of the awardess in each of the certifictae levels.

Certificate IV- First - John Taylor, Encouragement - Dean Love.

Certificate III- First - Jane-Lee Bobbin, Encouragement - Lloyd Clark

Certificate II- Encouragement - Scott Tozer and Charles Lucas

Pictured at the dairy trainees awards afternoon at the Bega Heritage Centre are:

Standing (left to right): Dick Buesnel (Department of Primary Industry livestock officer), John Taylor, Scott Tozer, Lloyd Clark, Ken Garner (Bega Cheese) and Des Ryan (course trainer). Seated (left to right): Rhonda Troy, Jane Lee-Bobbin, Dean Love, Carol Finney and Charles Lucas.