Lachlan Carney says he has wanted to work on a farm ever since he could walk.
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Following that passion through his schooling, the Yanco Agricultural High School student has a top prize at the NSW State Training Excellence awards.
He attended the ceremony in Wagga recently, where he was named VET in Schools Student of the Year.
The 17 year-old is currently studying a Certificate III in Primary industries, Certificate I in metals and Eningeering and a Certificate II in Electrotechnology as part of his HSC.
He credits his VET courses with giving him many of the skills he plans on taking back to the farm.
“I’ve pretty well wanted to go into farming since I could walk,” he said.
“It’s so hands on. There’s pretty much something new or a bit different every day.”
His family run a farm near Dubbo, dealing primarily with cropping and sheep.
“Dad, my uncle and my grandparents and I are all pretty close. I help them out on the farm where I can,” he said.
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Lachlan says he plans on putting a lot of his acquired skills to good use.
“I’ll probably go back into one of the courses, or even all of them and put them to good use back on the farm. I’ll use them all in conjunction with each other,” he said.
He also paid tribute to his school teachers and peers.
“Until I went to Yanco, I didn’t really have the chance to explore these types of VET courses and opportunities,” he said.
“They’re pretty good teachers and the students.”
Training Services NSW Executive Director David Collins said Lachlan had “excelled in a range of trades” as seen throughout his VET courses.
“He’s obtained casual employment in the agriculture sector following a mandatory work placement block, which is a testimony to his character, work ethic and knowledge across a number trades,” Mr Collins said.
“His trainers say he has great aptitude for the practical tasks but he is also capable of performing well in the theoretical aspects of the course.
“Through his work placement combined with working on the family farm, he’s also gained valuable industry knowledge and hands-on experience in the agricultural and engineering sectors,” he said.
