From prison yards to dairy yards: How Australian correctional facilities create a pipeline of trained farm workers, addressing labor shortages while giving inmates a fresh start in the industry. Could this model work for your operation?

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Australia’s innovative Cows Create Careers prison program at Fulham Correctional Centre transforms inmates into qualified dairy workers through intensive three-week training courses involving both classroom and hands-on experience with calves. The program has successfully placed graduates directly into dairy employment, addressing critical labor shortages while reducing recidivism through meaningful career pathways. With twelve graduates across two cohorts and three more courses planned for 2025, this pioneering approach offers dairy producers access to pre-screened, motivated workers with verified skills and formal industry certifications at a time when one in four farms cannot find the labor they need.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Cows Create Careers prison program provides comprehensive dairy training to inmates nearing release, creating job-ready workers for farms struggling with labor shortages
• Participants receive industry-recognized qualifications, including “Rearing Healthy Calves” and “Cups on, Cups off” certifications.
• Three graduates have already secured work on dairy farms, with one currently working and living on a farm.
• The program began as an initiative by GippsDairy chair Sarah O’Brien in partnership with Jaydee Events.
• One in four Australian dairy farmers report being unable to find labor or access needed skills.
• Three additional training cohorts are planned for 2025 following the successful completion of two courses.

In the rolling hills of Gippsland, Australia, a revolutionary workforce solution is taking shape as inmates at Fulham Correctional Centre trade prison jumpsuits for gumboots. The Cows Create Careers (CCC) prison program trains soon-to-be-released prisoners in essential dairy skills, creating a pipeline of work-ready farm hands in a region where finding reliable help has become increasingly difficult. With twelve graduates already across two cohorts and three more courses planned for 2025, this program offers a practical solution to one of dairy farming’s most persistent challenges—finding and keeping good help.

From Behind Bars to Barn Doors

The first innovative program in Australia targets inmates in Fulham’s minimum-security Nalu unit approaching their release dates. These men receive intensive three-week training covering everything a new dairy hand needs to know, from biosecurity protocols and calf rearing to milking techniques and farm safety. What sets this program apart is its hands-on approach: Actual three-week-old calves are brought to the facility, allowing participants to develop practical skills in feeding, cleaning, weighing, and walking the animals under professional supervision.

“Farmers are always looking for staff,” notes Veronica McLeod, GippsDairy’s extension team lead. “This program gives these men foundational skills that make them immediately useful on a dairy operation, with the potential to grow into more specialized roles over time.”

The training isn’t just essential—participants complete industry-recognized courses, including Dairy Australia’s “Rearing Healthy Calves” and the basic “Cups on, Cups off” milking certification[3]. These formal qualifications mean graduates arrive at your farm with verified skills, reducing the training burden on busy farmers during the critical onboarding period.

Accurate Results, Real Workers

The program’s success isn’t theoretical—it’s already delivering results. Three of the twelve men who have completed the program across two cohorts since April 2024 have already secured work on local dairy farms. One former inmate lives and works on a dairy farm, while two others are preparing for their release with jobs already secured.

Natalie Greenfield, Fulham Correctional Centre’s general manager, has firsthand observed the program’s transformative effect: “We are excited to have been the first correctional center in Australia to integrate Cows Create Careers into our vocational education and services curriculum. With one man already living and working on a farm and two preparing for their release with secured jobs, this program is already demonstrating its benefits.”

The program offers dairy farmers access to motivated workers who have demonstrated commitment by completing the intensive training. These aren’t temporary laborers looking for a paycheck until something better comes—they seek a fresh start and sustainable employment.

Origins and Industry Impact

The prison-based CCC program originated from an initiative developed by the Lions Club of Strezlecki in South Gippsland. The school version has been running in Australian schools since 2004, involving 240 schools and over 15,000 students across 23 dairy regions. The prison adaptation represents the first time the program has been delivered directly to prisoners to train future dairy industry employees.

GippsDairy chair Sarah O’Brien suggested bringing CCC to Fulham and approached Jaydee Events to explore the possibility. Jaydee Events managing director Deanne Kennedy acknowledges that the success has exceeded expectations: “There has been incredible interest in the dairy industry, and the gentlemen have genuinely enjoyed having this opportunity.”

This innovative approach comes at a critical time for the industry. According to Dairy Australia, one in four Australian dairy farmers cannot find labor or access the skills they need on the farm, with 22% unable to fill vacant positions within three months[4]. The labor shortage has become so severe that some farmers have reduced their herd sizes or switched to less labor-intensive beef production. In contrast, others have invested in robotic dairy systems.

Looking Beyond Labor: The Bigger Picture

While addressing immediate staffing needs is the primary benefit for dairy operations, the program’s impact extends further. Dr. Frank Thorn, acting managing director of GEO Group Australia, emphasizes the rehabilitation aspect: “The more we can do to support the men in our care towards meaningful employment and accommodation when they leave custody and develop a sense of purpose, the less likely they are to re-offend.”

Victorian Minister for Corrections Enver Erdogan highlighted the dual benefits: “It’s fantastic that men will leave prison with this enriching experience, which can boost their employment opportunities and help reduce their risk of returning to prison.”

This translates to economic and social benefits for rural communities where dairy farms operate. Stable employment for former inmates means more stable local economies and potentially reduced crime rates. As GippsDairy’s Regional Manager, Karen McLennan, puts it: “This program has the benefit of not only supporting these men to find meaningful, long-term employment but also supporting our farmers by offering a new way of attracting workers to the industry.”

What’s Next for the Program

The program is poised for expansion, with three additional training sessions planned for 2025. Six participants graduated from the second cohort on August 6, 2024, following the inaugural course held in April. Originally conceived as a series of four programs at the correctional center, the initiative may continue beyond its initial scope, given the positive outcomes and industry demand.

For dairy farmers interested in participating as potential employers, the program offers pre-screened candidates with verified skills and ongoing support during the transition to employment. Farm visits are a key training component, providing practical exposure to commercial operations before placement.

As labor shortages continue to challenge dairy operations across Australia, this innovative approach represents a practical solution that benefits everyone involved—farms gain reliable workers, inmates gain sustainable employment opportunities, and communities achieve more stable economies.

Could This Work for Your Farm?

For dairy producers wondering if a graduate of this program might fit their operation, the early results suggest it’s worth considering. The program doesn’t create master herders overnight but produces entry-level workers with foundational skills, formal qualifications, and strong motivation to succeed. That combination is increasingly complex in today’s tight labor market, where one in four farms struggles to find workers.

Australia’s dairy sector is forecasted to grow by 1.1 percent in 2025, reaching 8.8 million metric tons of milk production. To capitalize on improving industry conditions, farms need access to trained, reliable labor. For many operations, graduates from the Cows Create Careers prison program may represent a workforce solution and an opportunity to participate in a rehabilitation initiative with broad community benefits.

LEARN MORE:

• Labor Solutions: How Automation is Changing Dairy Farm Staffing
• Second Chances: Success Stories of Non-Traditional Dairy Workers
• Training Programs That Deliver: Building Your Farm’s Next-Generation

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