June 17th, 2023 Preparing ag students for the future

The state government says it’s now offering grants to TAFEs and learning providers across Victoria, modernising training for the next generation of Victorian agricultural professionals.

Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney (pictured above) recently announced the 13 projects approved for funding as part of the government’s $15 million Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund.

The funding will deliver projects that support new curriculum design, delivery and equipment to embrace emerging technologies and incorporate Aboriginal agricultural knowledge and practices.

The grants deliver on the findings of the Future of Agriculture Training Review released in 2022, which determined collaboration across industry and the education sector is essential in positioning agriculture as a career of choice moving forward.

Grants of up to $2 million were available to eligible Victorian TAFEs and training providers to help them deliver new or revamped training to ensure students have the skills required for a future career in agriculture.

Among the organisations approved for grants is South West Institute of TAFE, with $1.99 million towards a statewide Agriculture Tech Skills Centre.

The Centre will feature state-of-the-art software and technologies, providing advanced professional development and learning opportunities for students and teachers.

Melbourne Polytechnic will receive $1.44 million to integrate the latest technologies in education to remediate degraded land for agriculture, horticulture and conservation.

The program aims to equip students with the skills they need to utilise land that would have previously been deemed unsuitable for agriculture as a response to the increased shortage of farmland in Victoria’s peri-urban fringe.

Other organisations getting grants include Wodonga Institute of TAFE, Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, Australian College of Agriculture and Horticulture, Federation University Australia, Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, Gordon TAFE, Christie Centre Inc., Kreate Pty Ltd, 4 Up Skilling Pty Ltd, Velisha Education Group and Rural Industries Skills Training.

The Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund is part of the Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund established under the government’s $50 million Agricultural College Modernisation Program, which supports more Victorians to pursue careers in agriculture.