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Industry programs

 As part of its collaboration across the dairy industry, the NCDEA offers a range of specific targeted industry programs in conjunction with a range of other dairy organisations and individuals.

Many of these programs run on a regular basis depending on need and demand and can be initiated by your local Regional Development Program or State Dairy Farmer Organisation.

Some of these programs equal a unit of a formal qualification.

Vocational Graduate Certificate in Food Industry Management - staff program

Enrolments for the Vocational Graduate Certificate in Food Industry Management are now open. The course is a nationally accredited postgraduate focused program for staff wishing to obtain specialised training in dairy technology and manufacturing leadership. The course aims to develop analytical and decision-making skills associated with the application of dairy science and technology in the practical factory environment. Read more at the GOTAFE NCDEA website.

Vocational Graduate Certificate in Food Industry Management - managers program

This program is designed to develop depth and breadth in managers who have significant organisation responsibility for improvement in an area of a food manufacturing or along the food production supply chain. This includes responsibility for implementing change across a range of interrelated projects, including direct responsibility for challenging current thinking in order to generate improvement.

The program initially focuses on the science and technology of food product applications, and builds to provide a basis of decision making skills associated with practical factory environment application.

Please direct your enquiries to Michael Robinson, NCDEA Gilbert Chandler campus (03) 9217-5235.

Certificate IV and Diploma of Food Science and Technology (Dairy)

Enrolments for the Certificate IV and Diploma of Food Science and Technology are now open. These courses are nationally accredited vocationally focused programs for processing staff wishing to obtain specialised training in dairy science and technology. The courses achieve a depth of knowledge and practice in food technology that leads to demonstrable outcomes through improvement at the factory and company site. The courses are provided in a “facilitated-delivery” mode, which utilises a combination of block release and on-line delivery over the internet through the NCDEA Dairy Virtual Campus (Dairy VC), utilising email, webinars, SMS, web conferencing, podcasts and telephone contact. Students are drawn from across all States and companies. Further information can be found on the GOTAFE NCDEA website.   

More processing courses can also be found on the GOTAFE NCDEA website.

Cups on Cups off - Reduce Mastitis Increase Your Profit

The ability to control mastitis and achieve high quality milk affects the profitability of all dairy farms. This course, delivered by experts on mastitis control, explains the measures that can be used to reduce mastitis and runs for 7.5 hours, over two days.

The course covers topics including:

  • how and why infections occur,
  • practical mastitis control,
  • importance of teat disinfection and
  • best practice in milk harvesting

Diploma of Human Resources Management

The Diploma of Human Resources Management is designed for people providing support to dairy farmers and provides a theoretical and practical foundation in dairy recruitment, analysis of roles and responsibilities and employment law. Industrial relations, policies and procedures, management of working conditions, remunaration and employee benefits are well covered.

The course addresses:

  • induction processes,
  • termination procedures,
  • training and development issues
  • succession planning and
  • occupational health and safety

The workshops are delivered by local and international guest presenters within the framework of dairy industry case studies and 'The People in Dairy' resources and website. There is also a requirement to do activities in the workplace.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

The NCDEA in cooperation with the National Herd Improvement Association (NHIA) provide a consistent and industry-endorsed standard of training in AI procedures for farmers. Experienced industry trainers teach some of the practical specialist elements of the course.

PeopleGPS - Find Your Way  

PeopleGPS is part of a large, long-term and ongoing investment in developing resources, advice and training for dairy farmers around the crucial people management aspect of their businesses. It is a four-day course specifically designed for dairy farmers.

The program is about:

  • designing farm systems to fit people, rather than trying to find people to fit the systems
  • increasing efficiency and productivity by ensuring the right people do the right jobs at the right times and
  • placing great value on having effective working relationships

Feeding Pastures for Profit

This program is run in partnership between the NCDEA and the Dairy Extension Centre in all the dairying regions of Victoria.

The program aims to provide the tools and skills to help farmers maximise profit on farm by finding the most profitable balance between level of milk production and the input of home grown feed and supplements.

The program has two core days and a minimum of five seasonal 'on farm' days in the following year.

NCDEA can also run short courses such as First Aid, Farm Chemical Users, Operating Quad Bikes and Operations Tractors as required. Contact us on 1300 0 NCDEA (62332) for full details.