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General Stream Overview
This includes pig farming or breeding.
Pig production involves the management of people and financial, technical and natural resources for the profitable production of pigs. Pig production is mainly an intensive farming operation and occurs in all states of Australia.
Have you ever considered a career in the pig production industry?
The pig industry in Australia is an exciting and quickly developing primary industry as well as one of the most efficient, and is currently poised for a large expansion. New technologies and modern management approaches are revolutionising pig production and helping to establish a basis for future investment and growth.
Work carried out in pig production has been divided into 6 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 2 | Piggery Attendant | Certificate II in Agriculture (Pig Production) |
| Level 3 | Senior Piggery Unit Attendant | Certificate III in Agriculture (Pig Production) |
| Level 4 | Piggery Unit Supervisor | Cerificate IV in Agriculture (Pig Production) |
| Level 5 | Piggery Enterprise Manager | Diploma of Agriculture (Pig Production) |
| Level 6 | Piggery Manager | Advanced Diploma of Agriculture |
Level 2 – Piggery Attendant
Piggery attendants are the people who make the pig production unit function. They are likely to be involved in a wide range of tasks, and to work under only limited supervision.
Work undertaken as a piggery attendant includes:
- caring for and maintaining pigs
- assisting with farrowing of pigs
- moving and transporting pigs
- handling and using chemicals
- operating tractors and/or other property vehicles.
There are a number of ways to get work as a piggery attendant. Many piggery attendants begin working in a piggery as an assistant piggery attendant. Once they develop their skills and knowledge through training and work experience, they can undertake the role of a piggery attendant. If you undertake a Piggery Attendant Traineeship, you will progress in a similar way.
As is the case at lower levels, it is relatively easy for individuals with general agricultural experience to obtain work as piggery attendants – to assist with general piggery duties – on a casual basis.
The national qualification available for piggery attendants who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Certificate II in Agriculture (Pig Production).
Priority skills areas for working as a piggery attendant include workplace health and safety, basic animal husbandry, using chemicals, piggery maintenance, and machinery and equipment operation under limited supervision.
Level 3 – Senior Piggery Unit Attendant
A senior piggery attendant is likely to be involved in a wide range of piggery/operations and to carry out daily production unit routines unsupervised.
Work undertaken as a senior piggery attendant includes:
- caring for growing pigs
- identifying and selecting pigs
- disposing of piggery effluent
- mating pigs and monitoring dry sow performance
- treating pig disease • mixing and milling pig feed
- co-ordinating and analysing the piggery unit performance.
Senior piggery attendants will generally progress to this position either by undertaking a Level 3 Pig Production Traineeship, which provides a mix of on-farm and off-farm training to tradesperson level, or by obtaining extensive experience in an intensive piggery environment.
The national qualification available for a senior piggery attendant is the Certificate III in Agriculture (Pig Production).
Priority skills areas for working as a piggery attendant include workplace health and safety, basic animal husbandry, using chemicals, piggery maintenance, and machinery and equipment operation under limited supervision.
Level 4 – Piggery Unit Supervisor
A piggery unit supervisor has responsibility for a number of workers and piggery activities.
Work undertaken by a piggery unit supervisor includes:
- supervising nutrition and feeding of pigs
- overseeing pig herd health programs
- co-ordinating piggery unit operations
- supervising piggery unit staff
- training staff in piggery operations
- reporting to management.
Many piggery unit supervisors begin working in a piggery as piggery attendants. Others may have completed a Pig Production Traineeship. In some states there are traineeships that provide a mix of on-farm and off-farm training to supervisor level.
The promotion of senior piggery attendants to piggery unit supervisors occurs when they show they can take responsibility for unit operations and supervise the activities of other staff.
The national qualification available for piggery unit supervisors who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Certificate IV in Agriculture (Pig Production).
Priority skills areas for working as a piggery attendant include workplace health and safety, basic animal husbandry, using chemicals, piggery maintenance, and machinery and equipment operation under limited supervision.
Level 5 – Piggery Module Manager
A piggery unit/module manager has significant responsibilities in managing pig production activities.
These responsibilities include:
- administering the business
- business planning
- product marketing
- monitoring and evaluating business performance
- managing livestock production
- managing physical and natural resources
- selecting, maintaining and operating machinery and equipment
Piggery unit managers achieve their position when they have shown that they can successfully manage pig production operations as a business. Often they have worked as piggery attendants and piggery unit co-ordinators, and have a good knowledge and experience of pig production.
The formal qualification at this level is a Diploma in Agriculture (Rural Business Management). You will be required to demonstrate that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills and that you can apply them to pig production industry standards.
Specialist rural business management training programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis in most states, or through open learning.
Priority skills areas for working as a piggery unit/module manager include property planning and management, livestock breeding and production, staff management, and business planning and operations.
Level 6 – Piggery Manager
A piggery manager has the primary responsibility for ensuring that the pig production enterprise is successfully managed.
The responsibilities of this position include:
- business monitoring and evaluation
- management of the production system
- total quality management and control
- financial management
- product marketing
- managing human resources.
Most piggery managers have extensive production systems management experience and good technical knowledge. Their role is complex, and requires the application of a broad range of knowledge and a wide range of skills.
To achieve an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture (Rural Business Management), you will be required to demonstrate that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills and that you can apply this knowledge to pig production industry standards.
Specialist rural business management training programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis in most states or through open learning.
Priority skills areas for working as a piggery manager include human resource management, managing production systems, product marketing, strategic planning and rural enterprise management.