Cattle property owner and Roma local shares his agricultural expertise in Western Queensland

Following an extensive career in the agriculture industry, including positions at stations and feedlots, Joe now shares his hard-earned experience with aspiring ag industry professionals in regional and remote Queensland.

Joe commenced his role in May 2023, and works with students located in Roma and further west who are undertaking the Certificate II in Agriculture (AHC20116) and Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30116) courses.

In his personal time, Joe is a grazier and operates a 1,100 hectare cattle property north of Roma. A born and bred Roma local himself, Joe believes that the ag industry offers great work and lifestyle possibilities for course graduates.

“The opportunity to work on the land with your hands, and enjoy the lifestyle benefits that a career in agriculture can offer, are definitely draw cards for the industry,” said Joe.

“While being employed in the industry, I’ve been working on my own farming business.” 

Joe’s lifelong passion for farming began in his childhood.

“Managing the family farm has been my main focus since enjoying my upbringing there,” said Joe.

“There have been hard times, seasonally and financially, but good seasons and reasonable prices make those memories fade quickly. But experience teaches you to be better prepared next time.”

Joe’s typical day involves both hands-on work on the land and sharing his expertise with students in the classroom and workplace settings.

“One day a week I spend doing practical activities and theory work with TAFE at School students. While other days are spent catching up with agriculture trainees, scattered over the wide area of Western Queensland.”

Joe has diploma level qualifications in agriculture, as well as numerous industry-related skill sets such as vehicle, equipment and chainsaw operations and maintenance, chemical management, sustainable land use and biodiversity.

Joe is also equipped with a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) from TAFE Queensland, which has provided him with the skills and knowledge to design, develop, deliver and assess vocational training.

As part of TAFE Queensland’s Foundation Educator Program, industry experts like Joe are employed and paid while completing their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) through TAFE Queensland. The program is fully funded if completed within 12 months.

This program was developed by TAFE Queensland to attract passionate industry experts and convert them into the highest quality teachers and tutors swiftly -  in direct response to Vocational Education and Training recruitment challenges identified within recent research released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.