TasTAFE’s new Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence in Burnie will help build a skilled- workforce to support Tasmania’s growing agriculture industry, says Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, Felix Ellis.
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.
“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,” said Minister Ellis.
“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 also allows learners to move seamlessly from classroom to practical on-farm learning, the Minister said.
$6.5 million in funding has been 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,” said Mr Ellis.
“Our plan is all about putting the student at the centre of our training system.”
