The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of South West TAFE's historic Glenormiston campus, heralding a new era of local agriculture training for Victorians.
Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney visited Glenormiston to officially open the $2 million redevelopment, delivering on a key election commitment and boosting agriculture and horticulture training in the region.
The investment breathes new life into the site after it was left to deteriorate under the former Liberal and National government which shut the campus and tried to sell it without a commitment to future education at the site.
The upgraded campus features horticulture and agriculture centres, refurbished on-site accommodation (including short-stay options for students and staff), a new hothouse, garden beds, workshop, refurbished classrooms and new technologies to deliver world-class education to Victoria's future primary production workforce.
New classroom and workshop areas will host practical and theory lessons, including artificial breeding programs for dairy and cattle industries to accommodate a growing cohort of students since the Labor Government reopened the site and resumed training under South West TAFE.
The investment has also supported new fire protection systems to meet occupational health and safety and fire standards, security systems and storage facilities.
Training will be increased at the site, with Certificate II and Certificate III Horticulture courses to be offered from Term 3. As part of these courses, students will be invited to contribute to the care and conservation of the picturesque homestead gardens and pastures.
About 20 local workers, including apprentices, undertook the upgrade works, funded through the Labor Government's $2.6 billion Delivering for Regional and Rural Victorians Program, with five South West TAFE staff to work at the campus.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has made a record $3.2 billion investment to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding careers.
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
"The historic Glenormiston campus means a lot, both to the local community and to Victoria's training sector, which is why we have worked to undo the damage of the former Liberal and National Government."
"We haven't just secured training at Glenormiston, but we are also expanding it - to make sure locals get more great training opportunities while also meeting the changing needs of our growing agriculture sector."
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas
"Victoria is an agricultural powerhouse, producing food and fibre for our state and the world, and we're continuing to support the industry by fostering the next generation of experience and enthusiastic farmers."
As stated by South West TAFE CEO Mark Fidge
"This redevelopment signals a new era of training at Glenormiston - and we're looking forward to fostering Victoria's future primary production workforce in close collaboration with the local community and industry."
