The Agriculture Industry Training Organisation's top poultry graduate of 2009 has some advice for anyone considering studying agriculture - "learn as much as you can."

Francie Collings of Inghams Enterprises was recognized as the 2009 Agriculture ITO Trainee of the Year at an industry function on Monday in Auckland.

Francie and her husband Trevor have been meat chicken (or 'broiler') farmers for over seven years in the Waikato region. In this time, they have gone from housing 50,000 birds to over 140,000 birds.

"We were looking to semi-retire, but found that it wasn't interesting enough for us, so we decided to try our hand at poultry farming," said Francie.

Previously dairy farmers, Francie and Trevor found themselves enjoying their new lifestyle. "We particularly enjoyed expanding the farm. This expansion was one reason I wanted to learn more about poultry farming through formal training."

Francie was presented the Trainee of the Year award for her work on the Level 3: National Certificate in Poultry Husbandry qualification.

"I would thoroughly recommend a career in the poultry industry, and industry training is a great way to progress that path. As chicken consumption has significantly increased over the last decade, the demand for trained employees in the poultry industry has likewise increased."

Michael Brooks, Executive Director of the Poultry Industry Association, was proud of what Francie has achieved. "The qualifications offered by Agriculture ITO are a great passport into an industry with lots of potential," he said.