Exercises uncover career opportunities

A group of high school pupils from across the southern region carry out a ''gate to plate'' cheeseburger design task during a Get Ahead careers day at Telford, near Balclutha, yesterday.

They are (clockwise, from left) Paige Robb (16), of Roxburgh Area School, Estee Kirby (17), of Southland Girls' High School, Kyle Whitehead (15), of Lawrence Area School, Taylah Friend (15), of St Peter's College, Gore, Hamish Goatley (17), of Gore High School, and Hamish McDonald (18), of Blue Mountain College.

Telford/Taratahi Institute of Agriculture student liaison Katie McCabe said the exercise was one of 10 assigned to more than 100 year 11 to 13 pupils attending from 12 regional schools.

The exercises were designed to illustrate the wide-ranging opportunities for school leavers entering the agricultural industry, she said. Industry representatives were on hand during the day to offer careers advice.