From focaccia to flying drones, former baker for over 25 years Paul Buffery is encouraging people to invest in their lifelong education and explore switching careers for in-demand skills.

Paul is now providing farmers across the northern regions of NSW with a cost-effective solution of aerial drone spraying applications to flood-affected crops inaccessible by tractors.

Drones offer the unique opportunity to streamline agricultural work in a variety of ways, taking the burden off the farmers themselves and placing it in the capable hands of drone pilots. According to recent reports, the global agriculture drone market is expected to reach $8.6 billion by 2030.

Paul, originally from New Zealand, worked as a baker in Australia for over 25 years before deciding to follow a new passion and reskill as a commercial drone pilot by completing the Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot).

The Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) is designed to give people the essential experience and skills for a job as a remote aircraft pilot or commercial drone operator, a huge emerging market.

Paul said, "I knew I wanted to do something more different and change things up after being a baker for that long. TAFE helped me learn not only the hands-on practical skills I needed to reskill but also a nationally recognised qualification.

"Every day is different. I’m out on the road, in nature, seeing some of the most stunning views most never get to experience. It’s a balance of technical and skill. I’m constantly learning.”

"I enjoyed my time as a baker but realised I realised it’s not too late to reskill and do something more technical and innovative. Now I've made the switch, I have no regrets," said Paul.

TAFE NSW Wollongbar Aviation Teacher Ben Beesley said, “The certificate III is a nationally recognised qualification that provides you with a CASA certification and Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), an Aircraft Radio Operator Certificate (AROC) which is required to communicate with other airspace users.”

The use of drones is proving to be more and more vital in businesses like agriculture. Drones can have precise and accurate sensors, which can determine things like water stress, low crop nutrients and poor soil health. By implementing the use of drones, a farm can see real impact economically and be environmentally efficient by targeting the areas that need the most care,” said Ben.

TAFE NSW offers a nationally recognised qualification to equip students with skills in this growing area. Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) can qualify you as a commercially licensed drone operator.

TAFE NSW offers a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) at various locations across the state. For more information about the range of courses on offer at TAFE NSW, phone 131 601.

Media contact: Callum Darby-Linfitt, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7921 1823 callum.darbylinfitt@tafensw.edu.au