GOTAFE has received $1.99 million as part of the Victorian Government’s Agriculture TAFE and Training Funding.
The funding will support education aimed at ensuring students have the skills required for a career in agriculture, addressing the need for additional workers in the Goulburn-Ovens region.
The Victorian Skills Plan 2022-2023 has identified that the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry will need an additional 3000 workers over the next three years, with the regional workforce forecast to grow by an additional 564 employees by 2025.
Key existing GOTAFE agriculture and horticulture courses will be supported by the funding, while 10 new short courses will be created, including in Aboriginal practices and land management and farm safety.
GOTAFE board member and Murray Dairy chief executive officer Jenny Wilson said the funding would add significant value to both students and industry.
“This funding will help upskill existing workers in the agriculture and horticulture industries, while also helping to attract diverse cohorts to undertake new and enhanced training,” she said.
“We're looking forward to working with education institutes and industry to deliver training to ensure the future workforce is equipped with the required experience and skills.”
GOTAFE land and animals co-ordinator Rob Hall said the funding would not only support industry, but would also provide a range of benefits to staff and students.
“Getting this funding is an incredible boost in morale for our staff. It improves their confidence and ability, while also providing them opportunities for additional training and upskilling,” Mr Hall said.
“The funding will create synergies between traditional land and farm management, so the courses have cultural relevance.
“There's a skill shortage within industry and we've struggled with this, which is why I think a multi-layered approach including secondary school connections and community-based elements is so important.”
Farm safety will also be a key focus of the funding.
This is aimed at reducing the rate of workplace deaths in the agriculture industry, with about 14 per cent of annual fatalities attributed to agriculture workers despite it only making up about two per cent of Victoria’s workforce.
“On-farm safety is an ongoing focus of GOTAFE’s education delivery,” Ms Wilson said.
“It’s a tragic reality that farmers are over-represented in workplace deaths. That’s why it’s so important that farmers are given adequate training and support.
“A new worker induction program and a short course safety refresher for current workers will improve on-farm safety, while providing opportunities for both new and existing workers.”
For more information, phone 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233) between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or visit the website.