Regional Victorians are now able to pursue opportunities to further their careers in agriculture through a new partnership between Charles Sturt University (CSU), Goulburn Ovens TAFE (GOTAFE) and the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA) that provides pathways to University for TAFE graduates. Mr Jake Frecklington, now living in Gippsland, grew up on a 300 acre dairy and beef cattle farm his family purchased near Shepparton in 1992. “I didn’t have an ENTER score that would allow me to go to university, but I got a ‘summer’ job packing cherries at a local shed, which turned into a full-time job for two years. I then decided to complete an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture with GOTAFE, and graduated in 2010,” Mr Frecklington said. After working for two years for a stockfeed company in Gippsland during which time he advanced to the position of territory manager, Mr Frecklington moved into an advisory role with Rural Skills Australia. He then made a decision to further his education, and was pleased to find that the new collaboration between GOTAFE and CSU would enable him to undertake his university studies in regional Victoria, with credit granted for his previous agriculture qualifications. “I am undertaking a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management with Charles Sturt University to increase my opportunities for a career in the agricultural service sector. Studying via distance education allows me to continue work while upgrading my skills, and Wangaratta is much closer to Gippsland than Wagga Wagga!” he said.