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Milk Harvesting
Overview
Milk harvesting involves the collection, handling, storage and processing of milk. One of the key roles in milk harvesting is that of the milking machine technician, who supplies, installs, services and tests machinery used for milking.
If you like working with machinery and equipment and enjoy a rural lifestyle, then you might consider a career as a milking machine technician. Milking machine technicians are always on the move, helping farmers to maintain the their milking equipment and operations.
The type of work carried out by milking machine technicians has been divided into 2 levels. (These levels also relate to training and qualifications). The titles for those who work at these levels are:
| Level | Job Role | Recommended Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | Sevice Technician | Certificate III in Agriculture (Milk Harvesting) |
| Level 4 | Installation and Service Technician | Certificate IV in Agriculture (Milk Harvesting) |
Level 3 – Service Technician
A service technician is likely to be involved in a wide range of milk harvesting work, with various degrees of responsibility.
Work undertaken as a service technician includes:
- assessing the condition and performance of milking machines
- servicing and installation activities in the field
- co-ordinating the activities of staff
- estimating materials, equipment and labour costs for a job
- dealing on a daily basis with other industry people, such as dairy farmers, milking equipment manufacturers and chemical company representatives.
There are a number of ways to get work as a service technician.
In most states there are apprenticeships and traineeships in electrical, plumbing and related trades. Completion of these programs will help you get employment as a service technician.
Individuals with an existing electrical, plumbing or related trade are also often able to get work as service technicians. The national qualification available for a service technician is the Certificate III in Agriculture (Milk Harvesting).
Priority skills areas for working as a service technician include workplace health and safety, basic milking operations, using chemicals, equipment assessment and servicing, estimating and supervising work activities, written and verbal communication.
Level 4 – Installation and Service Technician
An installation and service technician usually has responsibility for a number of workers and for the organisation of machinery installation, testing and repair.
Work undertaken by an installation and service technician includes:
- supervising employees
- conducting the total workshop operation
- auditing the milking equipment performance
- training staff
- supervising workshop activities, such as fabrication, repair and maintenance of equipment and machinery
- taking responsibility for installations and service on the job.
There are a number of ways to get work as an installation and service technician. Many installation and service technicians have either worked their way up from being service technicians or have entered the industry at this level with a background in electrical, plumbing or related trade areas. At this level, they are able to take responsibility for supervising the activities of other staff and for undertaking a whole job.
The national qualification available for installation and service technicians who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Certificate IV in Agriculture (Milk Harvesting).
Priority skills areas for working as an installation and service technician include supervision of milking machinery installation and servicing activities, staff training and supervision, budget and stock control, and machine testing and repairs.