Agriculture and production
Studies in agriculture and production are available from Certificate II level through to a Certificate IV traineeship – a course designed to meet the competency requirements for an Agricultural Supervisor. The Certificate IV in Agriculture is offered with options for some specialization in beef production, grain production, sheep and wool, and general agriculture. Training is also available in potato production (production horticulture) as well as other units by negotiation. Each trainee will have an individual training plan established which will be designed to meet the needs of the trainee, the employer, the work place and UB.
Primary Indusrtry offerings are delivered through the School of Applied Sciences.
Aquaculture
The Primary Industries Training Centre conducts workshops in warmwater aquaculture designed to provide training for commercial fish and crayfish farming. Warmwater aquaculture includes Australian warmwater species such as Murray cod, yellowbelly, catfish, silver perch, yabbies and eel. The course is conducted over four weekends and topics will cover both the commercial and practical aspects of fish farming. Topics include aquaculture and basic fish biology, water quality management, pond design and site selection, fish husbandry, health and nutrition, harvesting and post harvest handling, marketing and business planning, and record keeping, research and development planning.
Environmental management
The Diploma in Conservation and Land Management provides practical and theoretical knowledge of the conservation of the State’s natural resources on public land and management training in national parks, forests, waters, land protection, wildlife, pest plants and animals. This course provides participants with a thorough grounding in environment science, specialised skills and knowledge using a range of broad-based, technical and hands-on delivery approach via projects.
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Within the School of Science and Engineering, the Environmental Management group employs an interdisciplinary framework with experience, knowledge and skills including environmental management, ecology, zoology, botany, geology, philosophy, social and political science.
The group is actively researching in a number of focus areas including vegetation and fauna assess-ment and management, soil and water assessment and land management, application of computer technology to natural resource management, pest, plant and animal research, and reserve management. The department is home to the Centre for Environmental Management (CEM).
Within the Engineering Department, landfill technology and contaminated soil and sediment remediation are at the centre of the civil and environmental engineering discipline.
Additional facilities associated with the School of Science and Engineering include an industry training building, GIS, GPS and CAD facilities, the Ballarat Regional Arboretum, Rainforest Garden, Canadian Wetlands, Glasshouse Complex, and soils and minerals testing laboratories.
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Farm safety
The Victorian Farm Safety Training Centre operates from within the School of Applied Sciences and has developed a national reputation for effective and innovative approaches to the provision of training and consultancy in farm safety. The School has many customers within rural industry, as well as organisations such as the Victorian Workcover Authority and the Indigenous Land Council. The school also offers short courses such as Chainsaw Operations, Farm Chemical Training, and Environmental Care for Forest Workers and OHS for Forest Workers training.
Fire technology
The Certificate IV in Fire Technology is a national course designed to provide a broad grounding in generic workplace skills and knowledge of fire industry operations covering the principles of fire behaviour and fire protection.
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Forestry
The Environmental Care for Forest Workers and OHS for Forest Workers courses consist of units from the Certificate III in Forest and Forest Products (Harvesting) and are ideal for people involved in forest logging and harvesting industries, soft wood and hard wood and seed gathering. All persons involved with commercial harvesting of forest products in state forests are required to hold a Forest Operator’s Licence for which Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Care are pre-requisites. These courses are jointly conducted over 1 day or two evening sessions at the Primary Industries Training Centre (Ballarat).
Geology
The geology course at UB is among the oldest in Australia, inherited from the former School of Mines and Industries Ballarat Ltd., with its long and distinguished history. Our graduates are recognised both nationally and internationally. The Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology) is an applied degree program for students with an interest in Earth Science who wish to pursue professional careers in mineral and oil exploration, extractive industries, environmental science, hydrology and other areas associated with the Earth Sciences.
Within the Engineering department, the area of mining and minerals engineering explores fluids and ventilation, rock and soil mechanics, mineral processing, and mining methods and safety.
The school offers a range of additional services in the area of geology.
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Horticulture
The Certificate III in Horticulture traineeship/apprenticeship offers training in the streams of general horticulture, arboriculture, turf, landscape, retail nursery, and parks and gardens. Each trainee will have an individual training plan designed to meet the needs of the trainee, the employer, the work place and UB. On-the-job training units can be chosen to be delivered in the workplace primarily by the supervisor. Unit outlines and learning guides are provided to give direction. Assessments are carried out later in the year by a qualified workplace assessor. Off-the-job training units may be chosen to be delivered at the University of Ballarat Horticulture Centre through day release.
Mining and metallurgy
A revised metallurgy program, focussing on primary metallurgy, is offered in collaboration with Curtin University’s Western Australian School of Mines Campus, Kalgoorlie. Using sophisticated, modern technologies metallurgists extract and refine valuable minerals and metals from raw ores, as well as protect and restore the environment. Students will undertake the first two years at the Mt Helen campus and their final year at Kalgoorlie. The course exemplifies regional collaboration to produce graduates in high demand by a nation industry that exports in excess of $25 billion worth of metal and mineral products. The course bridges science and engineering, covering the extraction and processing of minerals from diamonds and gold to coal and mineral sands.
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Racing
The School of Applied Sciences(Primary Industries division) offers a range of Certificate courses in racing aimed at stablehands, thoroughbred owners and trainers. The courses cover the care, maintenance and racing performance of animals as well as the performance of all tasks and duties associated with running a racing establishment. These courses are prerequisite for entry into the Diploma of Racing (Thoroughbread Trainer).
Rural operations
The Certificate II in Rural Operations is a 12 month traineeship designed so that 50% of the non-compulsory units can be offered from any Rural Training Package and the other 50% from any other nationally recognised training package, allowing employers to offer cross industry skill opportunities to their employees. Each trainee will have an individual training designed to meet the needs of the trainee, the employer, the work place and UB.
Sustainability
UB’s SMB Campus is home to the National Centre for Sustainability. The NCS provides educational leadership and works in partnership with industry, government and community to undertake program delivery, resource development, project work and applied research to support the development of sustainable practices.
The University of Ballarat is one of four member institutes of the NCS which advises domestic, commercial, government and non-profit organisations on a range of sustainability-related issues. Using internally developed methodologies and internationally adopted frameworks, the NCS develops Triple-Bottom-Line reports and assists organisations with the implementation of the reviewed strategies.
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Wool
UB offers training in wool handling, classing and wool clip preparation. The Certificate II in Wool Handling provides participants with a range of shedhand skills including picking up and throwing, penning up, wool preparation, pressing and branding.
Upon successful completion of the Certificate III in Wool Clip Preparation graduates may apply to the Australian Wool Exchange Ltd for registration as an owner classer. This course forms part of the Certificate IV in Wool Classing, which leads to registration as an Australian woolclasser. The Certificate IV in Wool Classing course provides the necessary training to apply for registration as an Australian professional Woolclasser with the Australian Wool Exchange Ltd and expands knowledge in clip preparation, shed management and wool marketing.