Labor will provide a pathway to successful careers in agriculture for the next generation of Tasmanian farm workers with a comprehensive TAFE training package that will finally provide skills to match jobs.
Shadow Primary Industries Minister Shane Broad said Labor's Ag Kickstarter initiative would fill an identified skills gap and deliver the training package required for workers to get the best possible start on the land.
"We have listened to specific advice from our Industry Advisory Council that this policy will provide a pathway to a job in Tasmania's growing agricultural sector which is a Labor priority," Dr Broad said.
"Far too often there is a mismatch between the skills required to safely start a job on a farm and the training available and that is a barrier which means agricultural businesses cannot find the workers they need.
"Our Ag Kickstarter policy will provide a TAFE training package that will deliver the skills that Tasmanians wanting a career in agriculture need to be job-ready without having to hunt around and organise each course separately.
"The subsidised training pathway will not only provide basic skills for a career in agriculture but could also up-skill existing employees."
Dr Broad said the Ag Kickstarter skills package would include:
- First aid
- Manual handling
- Chemical Certification (level 3)
- Tractor (with loader & 3PL attachment) operation
- Fork lift operation
- ATV 4×4 operation
- Chainsaw operation
- Work shop safety & awareness (new course)
The agriculture training package is in addition to Labor's $10 million commitment to provide free TAFE access to help 5,000 Tasmanian students gain the qualifications they need to find jobs in the state's fastest growing industries, including building, construction and hospitality.
"There is a fundamental mismatch been Tasmania's skillset and our growing industries and it is costing Tasmanians jobs and holding back our fastest growing industries, including agriculture," Dr Broad said.
"Under the Liberals, TAFE is broken and we have lost 2,000 apprenticeships.
"The lack of a strategic approach to skills and training is the single biggest concern Labor hears from industry right across Tasmania."
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Water
