Telford's new course training rural animal technicians has been welcomed by farmers and vets.
Five young women are the first to take part in the year-long Telford course which teaches rural animal handling and production, anatomy and physiology, animal reproduction, and common surgical procedures. It also teaches the establishment, prevention, treatment, and control of disease.
Tutor Ali Maw said by the end of the course, students will be able to work as rural animal technicians in a veterinary practice.
She said they could also gain entry level employment in allied sectors such as dairy farming or manufacturing, retail outlets, animal research, artificial breeding services and Tb testing.
''We're training them to be rural animal technicians at veterinary clinics, freeing vets up to do the really big things. They're also a huge asset for a farm ... giving farmers a chance to hire someone qualified to do a range of jobs.''
The course has an emphasis on animal health and husbandry, Mrs Maw said.
Last Thursday students toured Allan Roulston's piggery, and learned how to vaccinate pigs for leptospirosis and erysipelas.
Mr Roulston has a mixed-farming operation on his 400ha Hillend property, with sheep, beef, including a charolais cattle stud, cropping and an outdoor piggery.
''It's a great course, really good for both farmers and vets. For a farmer to have a rural animal technician on site is really good. They are trained to do so much,'' Mr Roulston said.
The piggery has five boars, 50 sows, and about 100 piglets.
Farmer Robert Wilson, who showed the group how to administer the two vaccines, said the practical component of the course was very important.
''They have learned a lot today. This is how they learn, and there aren't many piggeries in South Otago, so we're happy to have them on board.''
Veterinarian Rob Mills, of Clutha Vets, said the course was a ''good fit''' for Telford, and complemented the training it already offered.
''There's a wide swing across vet practices in New Zealand who are struggling to employ vets. They [rural animal technicians] have a lot to offer.''
Students would spend some time based at Clutha Vets in Balclutha to hone the skills they acquired in the classroom.
The equivalent of two and-a-half full-time rural animal technicians were already employed by Clutha Vets amd this was supplemented by casual staff at busier times of the year, predominantly winter and spring.
He said there was a lot of work in the dairy industry, particularly in winter when cows were treated for mastitis, and in spring when calves were de-budded.
Students have also been working with sheep, cattle, deer, horses, dogs, and alpacas.
