A TAFE NSW graduate from Bowral has a unique new plan in his sights that could create hundreds of new jobs and help address the environmental and economic scourge of feral pests across regional NSW.
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Australian Feral Animal Control and Management Services founder Rob Gallina, who completed an online statement of attainment in Game Harvester with TAFE Digital, is on the brink of opening Australia's first mobile processing plant for feral pests.
Mr Gallina said he pursued a career in eradicating feral animals after witnessing the environment and economic devastation caused by wild animals such as kangaroos, pigs, deer, and rabbits on friends' farms.
His company is now one of the largest of its kind in Australia and Mr Gallina is now close to securing funding for a mobile processing plant for game meat, which would allow his company to process hundreds of animal carcasses a day for pet food and human consumption.
"We're wasting up to three tonnes of kangaroos, pig, and deer meat each night because there just aren't enough game meat processing plants around," Mr Gallina said.
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"Ultimately, I want to establish a couple of these plants in each state, with each facility employing up to 30 or 40 shooters.
"This will not just create jobs, but give farmers a return for animals being harvested on their properties while helping the environment."
The NSW Food Authority requires all game harvesters to be licensed and complete a Statement of Attainment in Game Harvester.
TAFE NSW is the only NSW RTO to offer this course, which is accessible online when, where and how it suits students to study.
TAFE NSW teacher and butcher-by-trade, Shannon Walker, said the course was one of the oldest running TAFE NSW courses.
Mr Gallina said the course equips students with the practical skills and experience that they need to enter the industry.
"Shannon is one of the most informed people you will meet in this field and he really simplifies the course, ensuring students have everything they need to start working in a growing industry," he said.
To find out more about studying game harvesting online with TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.
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