INTRODUCED as a new faculty of the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) late last year, Telford is based in the heart of rural South Otago, within a thriving rural community.
Forming an integral part of New Zealand farming history, Telford has been preparing students for their future in agriculture since 1964.
Set over a generous 921 hectares of farmland, the Balclutha campus provides students with a unique view of what their future could hold within their chosen industry upon graduation.
In addition to halls of residence, where students can be accommodated throughout their studies, Telford has a wide variety of facilities, including technical workshops (machinery, carpentry and welding), classrooms and livestock units.
Students will gain real-life practical training and participate in regular work experience on external farms, relevant to their area of study.
All training is undertaken with the supervision of experienced tutors and farm managers, ensuring students are both safe and comfortable in the agriculturally based environment.
Run as a commercial entity, Telford Farms provides a unique and commercially realistic ‘‘classroom’’ in which to develop students’ farming skills. The property is home to a sheep-and-beef unit, deer unit, dairy unit and forestry unit, giving students a variety of options to experience.
Students are also given the opportunity to train their own pup whilst studying at Telford, and there are 30 dog kennels on site.
On-campus programmes are not just limited to agriculture, with Telford expanding into other areas. Options now include qualifications in construction, veterinary nursing, animal care, and equine.
If you would like a hands-on opportunity to discover what it’s like to live and learn at Telford, they offer three-day taster camps, with the next two scheduled for July 9-13 and October 1-5, 2019.
For more information about semester 2 programmes ora Telford Taster Camp, visit www.sit.ac.nz/Telford
