SKILLS4LIFE

While our Rural Training Programs provide a practical learning environment for those wanting to develop their skills and knowledge to commence working in the rural industry, and achieving a nationally recognised qualification, we are often asked if we can provide support individuals that may not fit within this criteria. Our SKILLS4LIFE Program has evolved with this in mind.

ABOUT SKILLS4LIFE

Based on our guiding principles in horsemanship, the mutual understanding and respect, we provide a safe living and practical work experience environment where young people are able to able to develop the skills and knowledge they need to improve their way of thinking, understanding how making better choices to be more successful within all areas of their lives.

Classroom style training and book work do not form part of this program, this program is about learning the old-fashioned way, through the hands on practical experiences that come from working on the land and working with livestock. We don’t put time limits on most activities performed, participants are encouraged to move through the various stages of completing activities with a strong understanding of the why the job needs to be done and how they can safely the complete it. We openly discuss the potential negative impact of a job not done right, so they know the importance of doing it right the first time!

Participants will take part in team-based activities that include: daily animal care; repairing and maintaining property infrastructure – water supply, fencing, buildings, etc; performing routine servicing and repairs on farm vehicles and equipment; livestock management and learning low stress stock management techniques that may include mustering on horseback; and so much more.

As well as their working experiences, participants are provided an independent living environment where they are encouraged to maintain their own daily care needs, working in with others also residing on-site. This will include daily bed making and room cleaning, cleaning of the shared facilities, washing own laundry, grocery shopping, preparing for and cooking meals and all those everyday living and surviving tasks. Due to these independent living arrangements, this program is not designed to meet the needs of young people under 15 years of age.

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Through these experiences, participants are learning the skills they need in all areas of their lives:

~ adapt to the unfamiliar working and living environments;
~ set and achieve goals across all areas of their lives;
~ better understand their unique skills and abilities, and how to develop on these;
~ make positive and valuable contributions to a team-based activities;
~ establish positive social skills, with understanding and acceptance;
~ respect themselves and others;
~ trust and believe in themselves others.

It’s all about allowing the individual to create a situation and then guiding them through the processes of finding their own way out. – Geoff

SKILLS4LIFE The Rural Way

In response to the many enquiries we continue receive each week, we’ve decided to create a unique program that provides participants with a little bit of everything we do here at our ULTIMATE RURAL TRAINING CENTRE.

SKILLS4LIFE The Rural Way, combines the skills development training from our HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC’s with the practical training of current industry skills and practices from our RURAL TRAINING PROGRAMS and is enhanced by the soft skills development found through our SKILLS4LIFE Program.

This program has been scheduled to commence Monday, 30 July 2018, and will be delivered across each day for 26 days, ending Friday 24th August 2018. Participants must be able to live independently as this program includes the experience of living, learning and working the life on a working cattle property.

If this sounds like something you would like to participate in, or if you have a young person your working with that you would like to refer, please submit your interest via our SKILLS4LIFE Contact Form below and a member of Team Toomby will reply to your enquiry as soon as we can.

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SUITABLE WORKWEAR

We’ve put together a list of suitable workwear items participants may need, based on the rural industries recommended workwear:

~ Work Boots – heavy-duty/ non-steel capped and/ or Horse Riding Boots – above the ankle work boot style, not the fancy dress boots.
~ Long Sleeved Work Shirts – cotton and flannelette workshirts, high vis is not required.
~ Long Work Pants & Riding Jeans – Riding Jeans should be a loose fit boot leg suitable for horse riding.
~ Wide Brimmed Hat – highly recommended for outdoors, caps worn correctly are also a good option.
~ Belt – used to hold your jeans up as loose jeans can be a hazard in this industry.
~ Kerchief or scarf – works well in protecting the face from environmental hazards.
~ Water Pouch/ Camel Back Hydration Pack or water bottle.