Issue 4 2025 - Trades & Training

4 July

Trades and Training Areas continue to be a large part of the student experience at WA College of Agriculture - Denmark, students in these areas can experience practical skills development opportunities and actively develop their abilities, ready for the workplace. The option to select studies in Autos, Engineering, Equine, and other areas of interest allows all our students to find a place where they can learn and succeed.

We are looking forward to opening the doors and showing off the student achievements and skills at the Open Day in August. The workshops and shed areas will be open to the public and you will have access to all Trades and Training areas with displays and demonstrations throughout the day.

Autos

Mr Mark Gladish is supporting students to build workplace skills and experiences in his workshop and Automotive Class, we are seeing excellent developments in this area and the students are really benefitting from the experience and skills he has.

The motorcycle area has CRF250X in at the moment for a full rebuild and students will get experience in bringing this machine back to form. If you have an old motorbike in the shed, we are happy to take donations for training purposes.

Year 10’s finished off their single cylinder engine unit and successfully were able to rebuild their engines. They have also finished remove and replace brake assemblies unit. This fantastic progress in the short time they have been here.

Year 11’s Have been completing quite a bit of classroom theory but also spending time in the workshop building engines. Our Holden 6-cylinder engines are coming together well.

Year 12’s who have their own vehicles on site are able to work on them, providing they follow workplace rules and procedures, it’s a great way to start to get to know your vehicle well and improve them at the same time.

Engineering

Mr Hamilton has maintained great progress in skills and project development in all areas, Year 10s have been extremely good in creating the welding proactive projects, including mig welding torch holder and build their own 90 degree speed squares.

Year 11 students are now moving towards the gate project where they use a range of workshop tools to create gates for home or display, they will design and build their own gates including their own designs for hinges and latches.

Year 12 Certificate II Engineering Pathways student projects are really starting to look impressive! Sheep ramp, trailers and other projects are coming together now with one term to go I expect these projects will be ready to go home soon. Year 12 students this year have some excellent skills in design and fabrication, I believe this has been supported by the excellent work from Mr Hamilton and Mr Toon during Year 10 and 11 classes.

As mentioned, a previous Newsletters its essential that trailer builds to be used on the road are done to the required standards according to Dept of Transport requirements. We are unable to offer support in the demands of these requirements. Please see:

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/license-a-trailer.asp

We are undertaking a set of sample project builds in the coming months to demonstrate a wider variety of items students can create. Some furniture and equine projects could be included in student projects. It’s not essential to build a large project to achieve a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways.

Project support with CAD and CNC cutting is always on hand as trainers now have extensive knowledge of the software. We recommend students get plenty of practice and become more confident with AutoDesk AutoCAD and Inventor to promote their understanding of this design tool. It also counts as good evidence towards the Interact with Computing Technologies UoC.

Equine

There is lots of riding going on while the weather has been quite good with all Horse Care Groups. Year 10 and 12 also enjoying some trail riding at times. Training is Focussed on position and balance. Miss Pagan has introduced skills in Polocrosse, this is really improving balance and intuitive riding skills.

Year 10 have started on lunging UoC

Year 11 working on treating horses for a variety of injuries

Year 12 studying biosecurity unit and finalising their riding units

New Paddock shelters are ordered and planned to be constructed soon, this will support our ongoing commitment to animal care and welfare. As the weather deteriorates, we are determined to ensure all horses can access shelter.

Our new outdoor arena is now fenced and being used, it’s a great addition to the facility and we are incredibly grateful to all the work that’s gone into making that happen. The indoor Arena has a new rake that was built by Brodie Wacura and Louis Ford, it’s a great support to our abilities to maintain this area to industry standards.

Design and Technology

Mr Toon is continuing to develop student skills in machining and the use of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Year 11s have made brilliant drill vices with a great level of accuracy; they are well placed to eventually move into workplaces that need skilled employees.

Year 12 students are using the lathes and threading tools to create tools. projects include a G Clamp, and a hammer design with interchangeable faces, students are machining and threading steel, aluminium and our own brass alloy created from recycled brass fittings. The final products are small but very impressive, students will go on to knurl handles and polish in the final stages.

Beekeeping

Our beekeeping program has had a busy and exciting start to the year! We’ve welcomed a new group of students who are beginning their beekeeping journey, while two familiar faces from last year have returned to take on more advanced units of competency.

New students are learning the basics, including how to safely handle hives and understand bee behaviour, while our returning students are working through more complex units such as hive health, pest and disease management, and brood manipulation.

All students, regardless of experience, have taken part in a wide range of hands-on activities. So far, they’ve used smokers to calm the bees, conducted hive inspections, extracted and processed honey, packaged it for sale, and even created wax products to sell at our upcoming Open Day.

A highlight this year has been working with our calmer-natured bees, introduced last season, which are making the learning experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Exploring Agriculture Beyond the Farm Gate – Year 10 Industry Skills Program

This year, we launched an exciting new initiative as part of our Year 10 Farm Skills program – Agriculture Industry Skills. Designed to broaden students’ understanding of agriculture beyond the college farm, the program focuses on raising awareness of primary and secondary industries, value-adding enterprises, and essential workplace skills.

As part of the program, Mrs Belinda Dufall and Mr Mark Spencer have been busy planning interesting excursions for the students. So far, the group has visited several agricultural businesses, including Dellendale Creamery, CBH, and Aurizon.

Back on campus, students took part in engaging incursion sessions – one highlight being an interesting lesson on the role of dung beetles in improving soil health. They also participated in interactive team-building activities that explored effective workplace communication.

In the most recent session, students enjoyed a delicious campfire session, where they cut firewood, lit a campfire, cooked sourdough damper and a hearty harvest hotpot using produce from the college farm – a perfect way to bring their learning full circle.

We’re thrilled with the excellent behaviour of our Year 10 students and the energy and enthusiasm they have brought to this new program. We look forward to more hands-on learning experiences as the year progresses!

Mark Boynton
Program Coordinator – Trades and Training
WACOA - Denmark