Kendall local and TAFE NSW graduate Brian Rowe is a rare species – he gave uphis bar job at age 44 to follow his dream career.

Mr Rowe swapped a busy career pouring beers at the local Kendall Services Clubfor a promising future caring for animals by studying a Certificate III inCaptive Animals at TAFE NSW Wauchope. Mr Rowe’s studies paid off when he washired as a Zoo Keeper at Billabong Zoo.

“Spending time around animals is what I enjoy, and it is very fulfilling towork as a Zoo Keeper. I’m now in a career I love thanks to TAFE NSW.

“New things are happening at the zoo constantly, so I’m always learning. Notwo days are the same, and I get to work with a different species every day.If I had to choose a favourite, it would be Spider Monkeys, but I do enjoy thevariation.

“TAFE NSW definitely opened my eyes to what the industry was about and vastlyimproved my knowledge. The learning and mentoring that the wonderful teachersprovide is second-to-none. Their relevant, practical experience and strongindustry connections, together with my qualification, have enabled me to startmy new career.”

Studying under the tutelage of TAFE NSW Animal Studies teacher, Blake Stone,who also works at Billabong Zoo, students are getting hands-on exposure tozoo-life.

“It is important that students learn the fundamentals of caring for animals inreal-situations. Animals are complicated and sometimes dangerous. There isonly so much you can learn in a classroom, the rest of the knowledge thesestudents need is in a workplace, which is what TAFE NSW provides.

“Upon graduation, TAFE NSW students are job-ready and fully equipped to walkinto any animal institution to put into practice what they have learnt.”

Australia’s largest training provider, TAFE NSW, offers over 1,200 courses,from certificates to degrees. Many can be studied online via TAFE Digital,when and where it suits students. Visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.

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