LOCALS had the opportunity last week to learn what food and fibre career path they should walk down.

Some community members of Heywood and district came together last Wednesday for a Food and Fibre Careers Tasting Trail, run by Food and Fibre Great South Coast.

The event was previously in Warrnambool and Hamilton introducing a panel to attendees who were invited to ask questions about career opportunities in food and fibre.

Held at the Heywood hotel, there were four panellists to answer questions, including South West Farmers Livestock and South West Farmers Rural Michael Goldby.

“The job opportunities within food and fibre are endless,” Mr Goldby told the Observer at the event.

“It doesn't matter what your skill set is, whether you're good at maths, you're good with electronics or you're good as a mechanic, there's job opportunities within food and fibre and agriculture.

“The pathway that I had when I was leaving school, I just wanted to be working on a farm.

“I never imagined that here I would be running these businesses with my wife and employing all these people.

“I love doing what I do. Every day is a good day, that's my motto, and I believe that everyone should have that same mindset because you got to enjoy doing what you’re doing.”

One attendant Amber Lee said she had a passion for the agricultural industry.

“I've been wanting to see what I can do to branch off from it because I really thought it was like the slimy wearing gumboots,” she said.

“After being here today, I've actually seen it's a lot more than just that, it’s mechanical work and working with animals.

“It's been a good opportunity to see how much agriculture has really branched off from when I last did my research because it was such a small thing at the time, and now it's just blown up and it's really interesting.”

Ms Lee is looking for a job in waitressing as part of hospitality which has its links to the food and fibre industry.

Food and Fibre Great South Coast look to grow their collective regional future through passion advocacy, open-minded collaboration, and innovative.

Their purpose is to expand the value of regional food and fibre production in local communities.