Ag Challenge graduates get jobs - May 2016

Former WHS Construction students Boaz Darby, Jared Stewart and Nicholas Glentworth at their Ag Challenge course.

Ag Challenge has around 170 full time students a year and thanks to the training they get plus the connections Ag Challenge has with industry, over 90% of graduates from their courses get jobs. Frequently Ag Challenge will be contacted by employers during the year asking if they could recommend someone.

It would pay to come to the Whanganui Careers Expo this Friday, May 20 from 4pm to 7pm to see what Ag Challenge can offer in the fields of agriculture, animal technology and construction. You will have no trouble finding them – check out the sheep shearing display on the War Memorial forecourt or the other interactive stands they will have.

About 100 secondary school students are already benefiting from Ag Challenge courses doing either one day a week practical based study or two days if they are at year 13. In the process they are picking up valuable NCEA credits, up to 44 at level 2 or up to 53 credits at level 3. As Manager Peter Macdonald says “you can try before you buy.” They even offer the chance to catch up on opportunities during the school holidays. The learning takes place out of town in Okoia and transport is provided.

School leavers can complete their Certificate qualifications or go on to further study or possibly an apprenticeship. By the time they are finished the student are more than ready to take up their first job or if they wish to, continue study at Massey or Lincoln universities.

Ag Challenge is one of the principal sponsors of the Whanganui Careers Expo. They have a total of 15 staff.