Traineeships provided through the NSW Smart and Skilled vocational education and training (VET) system, will be fee-free from 1 January 2020. 
Eligible traineeships for new trainees attract a 10% wage subsidy capped at $1500.00 per quarter, in the first year and second years of the traineeship.

Tocal traineeships

Get qualified at a nationally-recognised level while being paid to work in the industry. That’s the reality for you with a Rural or Dairy Traineeship through Tocal. Study at Certificate II, III or IV level. Be trained by industry professionals. Set yourself up right at the start of your career.

Train future farmers with the support of Tocal College and NSW DPI

  • Trainees get nationally accredited training and qualifications while being paid to work in the industry they love.
  • Employers receive government incentives* while encouraging their workers to gain new skills and knowledge. *Eligibility rules apply.

Our trainers are qualified and experienced in training and assessment for the farming community, and sympathetic to the needs of trainees, employers and their industries.

Training consists of up to 6 week-long study blocks on campus either at Paterson or Yanco. The Paterson campus includes commercial farming operations in the Hunter Valley and offers a residential, block release program for trainees. The program offered by Yanco campus is flexible and include a mix of residential, on-farm and online delivery options.

Training blocks blend group-based, classroom learning with practical skills and hands-on exercises. Trainees also visit commercial farms in NSW and learn from industry professionals.

Traineeships available

View all courses
Type: Traineeship Units: 18

Bee traineeship

Gain a nationally-accredited beekeeping qualification while you earn money keeping bees. A blend of face-to-face and online learning, Tocal’s beekeeping traineeship is the qualification to get you recognised.

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More information

The Yanco Campus of Tocal College is based at the Yanco Agricultural Institute in the Riverina, and students can study the Certificate III in Agriculture.

The CB Alexander Campus of Tocal College is at Paterson in the Hunter Valley, and training here concentrates on dairy and beef cattle production as well as beekeeping.

AHC30116 - Certificate III in Agriculture

AHC30216 - Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)

AHC40116 - Certificate IV in Agriculture

These qualifications give students training that complements their on-the-job experience. Traineeships cover the following skills:

  • Machinery & equipment operation (including Precision Farming)
  • Pasture Production
  • Livestock Nutrition & Husbandry
  • Reproductive Management
  • Workplace Health and Safety (including Chemical Accreditation)
  • General Communications and Supervision

  • Eager to develop and improve their skills and knowledge to become ‘best practice’ farmers.
  • Interested in earning a nationally recognised qualification.
  • Employed on a commercial farm.
  • Able to attend regular blocks of training at Tocal Agricultural College.

  • Interested in attracting and retaining committed and enthusiastic farm workers.
  • Willing to release trainees from work to attend study blocks

Incentives available! Government Assistance exists for those eligible including employer incentives and travel and accommodation subsidies.



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