The Victorian Government is providing funding to TAFEs and learning providers across the State to modernise training for the next generation of Victorian agriculture professionals.
Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney announced that 13 projects had been approved for funding under the State Government’s $15 million Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund.
“We’re making sure the next generation of farmers is prepared with the tools and skills they need to respond to the ever-evolving demands of modern agriculture,” Minister Tierney said.
“These grants will provide a major boost to our agricultural training providers and are just one way we are encouraging more Victorians to pursue a future career in agriculture,” the Minister added.
The grants will be used to fund initiatives that will support innovative curriculum design, delivery, and equipment in order to embrace emerging technology and include Aboriginal agricultural knowledge and practises.
According to the State Government, the grants build on the results of the Future of Agriculture Training Review, which was announced in 2022 and indicated that partnership between industry and education is critical in promoting agriculture as a vocation of choice in the future.
Grants of up to $2 million were offered to qualified Victorian TAFEs and training providers to assist them in delivering new or improved training to ensure students have the skills needed for a future career in agriculture.
South West Institute of TAFE was one of the organisations approved for funds, receiving $1.99 million for a statewide Agriculture Tech Skills Centre. The Centre will contain cutting-edge software and technology, as well as sophisticated professional development and learning opportunities for students and instructors.
Melbourne Polytechnic will get $1.44 million to implement cutting-edge educational technologies to repair damaged land for agriculture, horticulture, and conservation. As a response to the rising scarcity of farmland in Victoria’s peri-urban edge, the program seeks to provide students with the skills they need to use land that was previously judged unfit for agriculture.
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 are among the other recipients of the grants.
The Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund is a component of the Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund, which was formed as part of the State Government’s $50 million Agricultural College Modernisation Program to encourage more Victorians to pursue jobs in agriculture.
