Kimba Area School students are set to benefit from enhanced local learning pathways, after the school was named as one of three regional South Australian organisations to receive donations from leading agriculture network, Viterra.
Kimba Area School, which teaches 190 students from reception to year 12, was nominated by grower and former student, Darren Hunt to receive a $3000 Viterra donation through the company’s postharvest survey competition.
“Education is really important, particularly for young people in rural communities, and as a father who now has three kids attending Kimba Area School, I’m glad for the chance to give back,” Darren says.
“The school does a great job at preparing students for their futures, especially when it comes to alternate learning pathways, such as apprenticeships and traineeships, which play a vital role in keeping our rural communities alive.”
Kimba Area School Deputy Principal, Ryan Hanan agrees offering local learning pathways is a critical focus for the area.
“The learning opportunities available to our students are diverse and tailored to their post-school pathways. That’s why we work closely with them to customise our curriculum to align with their future goals,” Ryan says.
“As well as currently offering Vocational Education and Training (VET) options where students can gain nationally recognisable qualifications while finishing their high school education, we are in the process of building an agriculture programme to meet students’ and the community’s needs.
“With agriculture playing such a big role in so many of our students’ lives, there’s huge demand for more industry-aligned pathways that will help build the local workforce and retain young people in the area.
“The donation from Darren and Viterra will assist us in further developing and providing these types of pathways locally, which will support our students, the Kimba community and the agriculture industry all at once.”
Viterra Western region Operations Manager, Nick Pratt says the annual postharvest survey competition is a chance for Viterra to give back to organisations which are valued by its customers.
“Growers and carriers who provide their harvest feedback can go in the draw to win a $3000 donation to a community group of their choice, while helping us understand what they value about, and where we can improve, our service,” Nick says.
“We are pleased to be able to support the Kimba Area School this year through the donation, with their goal of building the local workforce aligning with our focus of providing career opportunities in regional areas.
“One of the ways we do this is by offering pathways for people to start a career in the agriculture sector, such as through our traineeship programme, which allows individuals to gain new skills and on the job experience in a paid role at a regional site while earning a Certificate III in Rural Operations.”
As well as being a major employer, with the majority of its 1000 permanent and ongoing employees based regionally and providing career development opportunities, Viterra supports regional communities by sponsoring and assisting a range of grower groups and initiatives, and contributing to the state’s economy. Last season the company added $1.2+ billion through purchasing grain from local growers and investing in its supply chain.
Other regional organisations to receive a $3000 donation from Viterra through its postharvest survey competition include the Bute and Districts Lions Club, and the Pinnaroo Ambulance Service.
