Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence to support industry growth
TasTAFE’s new Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence in Burnie will help build a skilled- workforce to support Tasmania’s growing agriculture industry.
Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, Felix Ellis, said the Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence at TasTAFE’s Freer Farm includes a contemporary learning centre, and the latest equipment and technology to support training and puts the learner at the centre.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government has proudly delivered this project,” Minister Ellis said.
“This brand-new Centre is equipped with the latest technology and means the next generation of ag workers get the training they need to be part of the workforce of the future.
“The 550 square metre learning centre provides modern, fit for purpose training facilities over two levels.
“The upper level provides two large adjoining training rooms with computer facilities, breakout spaces and a mudroom. The lower level provides a staff room, meeting room, exhibition space and student breakout.
“The centre allows learners to move seamlessly from classroom to practical on-farm learning.
“There has been $6.5 million in funding committed for the Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence project, which has also supported the purchase of a range of state-of-the-art equipment including a new tractor fitted with automated tractor guidance technology and a new automated cattle crush.
“The next phase of the project will include new and upgraded farm infrastructure such as stockyards and irrigation, precision agriculture equipment, protected cropping tunnels, farm biosecurity and training simulators, supporting research and innovation.”
Minister Ellis said the Rockliff Liberal Government is building a future workforce that is skilled up, innovative and ready to embrace change, which is vital in supporting the future of agriculture in Tasmania.
“Our plan is all about putting the student at the centre of our training system.”