FOR MANY Sunshine Coast residents, protecting local bushland, waterways and wildlife starts with a passion for the outdoors, and a TAFE Queensland program is helping First Nations students turn that passion into a career while strengthening their connection to Country.

The Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, delivered at TAFE Queensland’s Nambour campus in partnership with the Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation (JPAC), has given students practical conservation skills and opened pathways into environmental jobs across the region.

While the Jinibara People are the Traditional Custodians of much of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Blackall Range and Glass House Mountains, the skills learned through the course are equally relevant to protecting coastal environments around Coolum and the wider Sunshine Coast, where bush regeneration and habitat restoration remain ongoing priorities.

The course combines online study with hands-on training in local natural areas, covering native plant identification, seed collection and propagation, nursery practices, pest management and machinery operation.

Graduate Jaymilee said the mix of classroom learning and practical fieldwork helped bring conservation to life.

“I really enjoyed the cultural inspections, where we visited sites and identified their cultural significance.

“We gained a lot of on-ground knowledge from Elders, while our TAFE teacher, Allissa, helped us identify native plants in the local area.”

For Jaymilee, the course became the stepping stone to her goal of becoming an Indigenous ranger.

“It gave me the knowledge I needed before starting the job, rather than going in without that foundation.”

Jaymilee now works as an Indigenous ranger with JPAC, undertaking bush regeneration, water quality monitoring, nest box monitoring and sharing knowledge with other ranger groups.

After previously working in hairdressing, she said changing direction had been one of the best decisions she had made.

“I’d definitely recommend this course to anyone who needs a change and wants to reconnect with nature,” Jaymilee said.
TAFE Queensland conservation and horticulture teacher Allissa George said learning outdoors helped students build confidence while developing practical skills.

“Every day in conservation is different. We discovered a platypus in the creek at TAFE Queensland’s Nambour campus, and we also had flooding to work around. Mother Nature certainly kept things interesting.”

Allissa said many students had not studied since leaving school and were initially hesitant.

“By the end of the course, their confidence was through the roof.

“They worked so well together, supported one another and created a really safe and encouraging learning environment.”

Senior JPAC Indigenous ranger Chris completed the qualification while working full-time and said the flexible delivery made balancing study and work possible.

“My teacher was supportive and flexible, and kept encouraging me to keep striving towards completion,” Chris said.

Beyond developing technical skills, the program has also helped students build industry connections, and graduates have gone on to work with organisations including Toolijooa Environmental Restoration, Barung Landcare, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and local councils.

TAFE Queensland’s Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management supports pathways into roles such as park ranger, native nursery worker, conservation officer and bush regeneration worker.

For more information about TAFE Queensland’s conservation and Ecosystems course, please visit www.tafeqld.edu.au