3 June, 2020 

A Bathurst father whose career has pivoted from marketing to mulching has credited TAFE NSW for helping inspire his unlikely job switch. 

After nearly two decades working in the creative services industry, Matthew Dicksen, 45, decided to make his gardening dream a paid reality and turned to TAFE Digital to complete a Diploma of Horticulture which has secured him a position managing 15 staff as a parks and gardens supervisor at Bathurst Regional Council. 

“I’d already been working in more junior horticulture roles since moving to Bathurst from Sydney, but I was keen to take the next step into management - you can’t dig holes forever,” the father of two said. 

“Studying online with TAFE NSW was very suitable for me as I could study in my own time, wherever I wanted, and I was able to fit in with family life.” 

Mr Dicksen’s first foray into the horticulture industry came shortly after moving to Bathurst, when he took a job as a gardener at iconic Oberon property Mayfield Garden.  

But it was in the garden bed where his true love lay, and he described his role at Bathurst Regional Council as the “perfect job”. 

“I really thrive off the challenge and variety in the job,” Mr Dicksen said. “To be in a position where you’re contributing to how the city looks and feels is very satisfying.” 

TAFE Digital Horticulture Teacher Lesley McCallum said the Diploma of Horticulture was ideally suited to those already working in the industry and aiming to move into a management position. 

“The Diploma of Horticulture has been developed by industry experts to equip students with the advanced skills they need to work at a senior level in the horticulture industry,” Ms McCallum said. 

“It’s wonderful to be able to help people like Matthew get the skills for the job they want and make a difference in their communities at the same time. 

“No matter where students live, TAFE Digital affords them access to high-quality online training to gain a nationally recognised qualification across a range of industries,” Ms McCallum said. 

To find out more about TAFE Digital courses, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au/digital

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Media and Communications – Business Partner, 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428.