Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre has taken over from Lincoln University as the training farm’s provider for sub-degree levels three, four and five courses.
Its chief executive Arthur Graves said initial signs indicated plenty of interest from prospective students.
After a tumultuous 18 months, Murray Pilgrim, chairman of the Telford Farm Board that owns the property, said it was a relief to have a new educational provider not only for the training farm but also for NZ agriculture.
Lincoln had for the last seven years delivered education for students at Telford but in response to its financial difficulties and then some funding irregularities from off-campus providers, last year it said it was withdrawing from the role.
Nearly a year of negotiations followed before the handover was formalised at a function this week.
Telford’s roll peaked several years ago at about 250 effective full-time students, including those off-campus, but it was now about 95 effective full time students and Graves expected numbers to grow next year.
“We’re banking on that definitely happening this year and next but we think it will be about the right size in two to three years.”
Interest in taster courses where potential students could experience what was in store for them and from school students had been promising, a sign Graves said that Telford was no longer viewed with uncertainty.
While it was business as usual, there would be some changes.
Courses offered would be reviewed over the next few years by Taratahi, industry training and industry bodies. They were looking at introducing a level three certificate and a summer school.
Teleford now offered the Lincoln University diploma in agriculture course and Graves said a similar course would continue to be offered.
The solution was a three-way effort between Lincoln, Taratahi and the Telford board but Graves also acknowledged the uncertainty endured by staff and students.
Taratahi would celebrate its centennial in about 18 months and Telford recently marked its 50th anniversary, notable achievements which he said provided foundations and also legacies.
“We have a chance to build an educational system that is sustainable, creates value for people working the land and will help grow the farms of the future.”
Lincoln vice-chancellor Robin Pollard said the change allowed a fresh start and a chance for Telford and Taratahi to be the country’s leading provider of sub-degree agricultural training.
Pollard also acknowledged the difficulties faced by staff, students and the community from the uncertainty of the last year.
Earlier this year 16 Telford staff were made redundant.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said Telford was an integral part of the district’s history since the Telford family gave the farm for the training of young people in agricultural skills and they were not about to let it disappear without a fight.
It was a new chapter for Telford and he urged everyone to look forward not back.
“Without Taratahi’s vision for the future, things could have got pretty grim, around here,” he said.
