Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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Vocational award for animal sciences student

Boort Secondary College student Alice Hume is the recipient of an award from the federal government for excellence in vocational education announced recently.

Alice received an Australian Vocational Student Prize of $2000 in recognition of her studies in a school-based apprenticeship program Certificate II in Animal Studies with GOTAFE.

Alice attended school four days a week to undertake her VCE and spent one day a week at the Boort Veterinary Services clinic for her practical training for the Certificate. Assessments were also done at the clinic by GOTAFE teachers and she spent the occasional day at the Christensen Lane campus for classroom studies.

"The best part about doing the Certificate is gaining a qualification before I leave school. The Animal Studies course has opened up a whole lot of new opportunities for me," she said.

"Doing the course also kept me interested in staying at school, and I now have a better chance of obtaining a traineeship at a vet clinic next year." Most of Alice's study for the Certificate was done in free time at school and at home and she didn't find the workload too difficult. "If I needed extra time to complete the work the school was helpful and the GOTAFE teachers were always there if I had a question," said Alice.

Alice says she was surprised and very pleased by the win and says the $2000 will go towards being able to do the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing next year with GOTAFE.

Alice is a keen greyhound trainer and is just getting into breeding after being given a brood bitch. "My whole family is into greyhound racing so it will be great to have the background in animal sciences to help with that," comments Alice.

The school based apprenticeship and VETiS programs are ideal for students who are planning a career in the industry as they provide nationally accredited certificates which are recognised across Australia.

For more information call the Customer Service Centre on 1300 GOTAFE (468 233).