The Victorian Government supports Victoria’s upcoming agriculture professionals and prepares them for success through cutting-edge skills development.
Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney has today visited the South West TAFE to introduce the State Government’s $15 million Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund.
“This new fund will provide the next generation of farmers the skills they need to tackle the challenges of the future and position our agriculture sector as a career of choice,” Minister Tierney said.
The investment would help TAFE and other training institutions collaborate closely with businesses to create future-focused training specifically for Victoria’s agriculture professionals.
Qualified TAFEs and other training providers can apply for grants of up to $2 million to assist them in delivering new or improved training.
The awards will support innovative curriculum design, delivery, tools, and technology to keep Victoria’s training system up to date.
The fund will assist in implementing the recommendations made by today’s also-released Future of Agriculture Training Review.
“Agriculture is so important to our region with new workers needing to be trained to ensure the ongoing success of this industry. It’s wonderful to see the future of this sector supported as part of this review,” South West TAFE Mark Fidge said.
The Review explains how TAFEs and training organisations may draw in students and prepare them for changing agriculture needs.
The Review also discovered that collaborations between business and the education and training sectors are crucial to provide the best training and promote agriculture as a viable career option.
The Review is the result of over 300 engagements with TAFEs, industry, farm company owners, and students, chaired by Michaela Settle MP, Member for Buninyong.
“The Review is an amazing feat and a true work of collaboration. It reflects the strengths and the priorities of the education, TAFE and training sectors, and it’s great to see the industry already responding to the findings,” Settle said.
The Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund is a component of the Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund, which was formed as part of the Government’s $50 million Agricultural College Modernisation Program to encourage more Victorians to pursue jobs in agriculture.
The agriculture fund is accepting applications now through 23 November 2022.
