The southernmost Clash of the Colleges event was held at Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Telford Campus recently, bringing together hundreds of secondary school students, tertiary learners and industry professionals for a day designed to showcase the breadth of career opportunities available across New Zealand's primary industries.
Held on 10 September, the third annual Land Based Training Otago Southland Clash of the Colleges welcomed around 255 students from 16 schools across Otago and Southland to Telford. Schools travelled from throughout the southern region to attend, including first-time participants Fiordland College and as far north as Waitaki Girls’ High School in Oamaru.
The event provided an opportunity to test practical skills, see different sectors of agriculture and horticulture, and connect directly with industry professionals through participating in a diverse range of practical challenges and activities.
New modules introduced this year included the Resolution Farm App, viticulture delivered by Otago Polytechnic's Cromwell campus, irrigation from RX Plastics, wool identification from Zentera, and bovine genetics from CRV. These complemented existing stations covering quad bike safety, electric fencing by Gallagher, drenching with Clutha Vets, meat-cut identification by Silver Fern Farms, forestry activities, beekeeping, handpiece work, gumboot throwing and thoroughbred-related challenges.
The day also provided plenty of fun; event Emcee Tangaroa Walker from Farm 4 Life was in fine form, introducing sardines to the final challenge of the day; a select group of students raced to be the first to consume a cold Jimmy’s pie, dry weetbix with sardine and 300ml of milk.
Attending this year and on hand to award prizes at prizegiving, were the Hon Andrew Hoggard and Hon Mark Patterson, North Otago Federated Farmers President Otto Dogterom, Otago Federated Farmers President Anna Gillespie, Athol Stephens from the NZ Rural Games Trust and Telford Head of Faculty, Hamish Small.
Agri Futures General Manager Daniel O'Regan said the event continued to demonstrate the strong interest young people have in agriculture and horticulture.
"Southland and Otago are powerhouses of agriculture and horticulture in our nation's schools. It is always a pleasure to witness the enthusiasm for ag and hort from students across a wide variety of schools from both regions," he said.
O'Regan said it was exciting to see schools continuing to embrace the event and explore the career pathways available through the primary industries.
"Having Telford as the host of the event is priceless. It is a fantastic training institute with a long history, supported by successive generations."
A particular highlight for O'Regan was the level of support from industry and training organisations that volunteered their time to deliver modules and engage with students throughout the day.
"A standout this year was the increased number of people at each module. Businesses and training institutes put in a lot of effort, free of charge, to be there to help inspire the next generation. We are incredibly humbled by the level of turnout."
He said the willingness of organisations to invest their time demonstrated a genuine commitment to supporting the next generation.
"These young people are the future of our industries. The support shown by employers and organisations across the region helps them see the opportunities that exist and the pathways available to them."
The event also provided Telford students an opportunity to play a part in supporting future learners. Throughout the day, Telford students assisted with activities, helped run event stations, led campus tours and welcomed visiting students and teachers onto campus. Their involvement offered prospective students an authentic insight into campus life, while helping the Telford students build confidence, leadership and communication skills.
The campus tours organised by the Telford Student Association, were a big hit; visiting students, teachers and supporters were guided through the campus, viewing the library, hostels, dining hall, workshops, stone house, and the gym, as well as stock and equine demonstrations all led by Telford students.
Farming Systems and Equipment student Lukah Townsend was among those leading the tours. "I got feedback saying that it was one of the best tours they have had at Telford," he said. "The students seemed to like the tour. I think they liked the workshop part where I talked about the major projects that were made and how I made a two-bay dog motel and sold it."
Telford Marketing Officer Billie-Marie Henry said her highlight of the day was watching Telford students step up and take ownership of responsibilities throughout the event.
“Their involvement helped create a welcoming atmosphere while giving visiting students the opportunity to learn directly from current learners,” she said.
"They took responsibility for campus tours and event support, working to their strengths, engaging confidently with industry representatives, and contributing to at least one enrolment on the day."
Federated Farmers Otago President Anna Gillespie attended Clash of the Colleges for the first time and was impressed by both the scale of the event and the enthusiasm displayed by competitors.
"I don't think I'd ever even heard about it before, which is a shame because it's a fantastic event," she said. "I was hugely impressed."
One of the standout aspects of the day for Mrs Gillespie was the strong participation of young women. "I was stoked to see so many girls there giving it a crack," she said.
"When I was at Lincoln there were 10 girls out of a class of 120, so to see the majority of the competitors being girls was kind of cool. You still want boys coming through, but it's cool to see girls giving it a crack."
Mrs Gillespie believes the increasing visibility of women in leadership positions throughout the primary industries is helping encourage more young women to view agriculture as a viable and rewarding career pathway.
"It's them seeing women leaders right throughout agriculture," she said. "People like Kate Acland and Sandra Faulkner. We've got women leaders right through ag now, whereas 20 years ago there certainly wasn't."
She said the atmosphere created by students throughout the day was one of the event's greatest strengths. "They all really get involved and they have a really fun day," she said.
"The highlight is that race at the end. Seeing them all cheering each other on looked like they'd thoroughly enjoyed their day. Making it head-to-head to eat a cold pie was pretty entertaining."
Mrs Gillespie also praised the opportunity Clash of the Colleges provides for secondary school students to experience Telford firsthand. "It is a fantastic facility that we need to keep backing," she said. "Having days like that, where kids can feel immersed in it and see what else is there, is pretty cool."
She noted the large numbers taking part in campus tours throughout the day.
"Groups of around 70 to 100 prospective students were coming through at a time. That's a huge opportunity to get more kids through and show them what's available."
Federated Farmers North Otago President Otto Dogterom was another first-time attendee who said the event plays an important role in introducing young people to careers within the primary industries. "It's really important to get young people aware of farming careers. Anything that encourages that is valuable," he said.
Mr Dogterom, whose son attended Telford, said the event successfully highlighted the range of opportunities available within the primary sector. "I was pretty impressed. It's great to see young people getting involved and learning about the different pathways available to them."
Drawing on his experience as a farmer and employer, Mr Dogterom said the industry continues to offer strong career opportunities for motivated young people. "There can be a mismatch at times. We hear about unemployment, but there are good jobs available in farming," he said.
He believes institutions such as Telford play an important role in connecting young people with those opportunities and helping them gain the confidence and skills needed to succeed and emphasised the value of teaching practical skills and problem-solving abilities.
"It's about the basics. Learning how to weld, construct things and solve problems for yourself. Those skills give you confidence that you can do it."
He said agriculture remains one of New Zealand's most important industries and continues to offer rewarding career pathways for people willing to learn, work hard and develop their skills. "It can be hard work at times, but it can also be very rewarding.”
He also believes the industry has a responsibility to continue improving employment conditions and creating attractive career pathways for young New Zealanders.
"If we want young Kiwis on farms, they need to be able to see a future in it. They need to see that farming can provide a good life and good opportunities."
Results:
Senior – presented by Hon Andrew Hoggard
1st: Team 47 - Southland Girls' High School 2nd: Team 62 - Blue Mountain College 3rd: Team 61 - Blue Mountain College
Junior – awarded by Anna Gillespie (Otago Federated Farmers President) and Otto Dogterom (Federated Farmers North Otago President)
1st: Team 31 - Waitaki Girls' High School, 2nd: Team 29 - Southland Girls' High School 3rd: Team 32 - Blue Mountain College
Intermediate – presented by Hon Mark Patterson
1st: Team 13 - Blue Mountain College, 2nd: Team 14 - Blue Mountain College, 3rd: Team 12 - Clutha Valley School
Gumboot Prizes – presented by Hamish Small, Telford Head of Faculty
Intermediate –
Boys: Central Southland College – Ferguson Thomson, 29.9m
Girls: Southland Girls' High School – Summer Tag, 15.5m
Junior – awarded by Hon Mark Patterson
Boys: Central Southland College – Flynn Roskam, 24.5m
Girls: Waitaki Girls' High School – Gracie Ruddenklau, 18.1m
Senior
Boys: Lawrence High School – Lachie Wark, 26.9m
Girls: St Hilda's Collegiate School – Ella Nicol, 20m
Team Spirit – awarded by Athol Stephens: Team 30 - Tokomairiro High School - Leon Healy, Matthew Greer, Ayson Wardell and Daniel Woodhead