Agriculture students will soon be able to train in new state-of-the-art facilities, with the construction of the Centre of Excellence in Burnie nearing completion.
The $5 million Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence at TasTAFE's Freer Farm will support growth in the industry through a modern training facility that uses contemporary equipment and infrastructure.
Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, Felix Ellis, said construction of stage one began in May 2022, with hands-on training in the facility expected to start by the middle of the year.
"The building will provide modern, fit-for-purpose training facilities and cater for traditional classes, online learning and industry demonstrations and events," he said.
The lower level will provide a staff room, meeting room, exhibition space, student breakout spaces and general amenities. The upper level will include two large adjoining training rooms with computer and virtual reality facilities, breakout spaces, a mudroom/locker area and general amenities.
The Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence will also include upgrades to existing farm infrastructure including irrigation, stockyards, effluent treatment, and farm biosecurity, along with upgrades to farm operations machinery and equipment.
This includes a new state-of-the-art New Holland T6-145 hp Auto Command, 4WD tractor, with a Stoll front end loader.
It will be fitted with automated tractor guidance technology as well as used for practical student training in tractor and machinery usage and various farm operations.
New technology and farm machinery will support modern farming practices including precision agriculture, farm mapping and farm data analysis and management.
Minister Ellis said the Rockliff Liberal Government is also helping make it more affordable for apprentices and trainees in Tasmania to start a trade or skill up in a new career.
"The Government is giving our learners the education and training they need for the future," he said.
"We are focused on putting learners at the centre of our VET system, by investing in new facilities, better equipment, and more support to ensure Tassie VET students can access training."
"This year sees increases across accommodation allowance rates as well as the airport transfer allowance for apprentices and trainees who are required to attend off-the-job training with their registered training organisation.
"Importantly, we have also removed the current $8,000 per calendar year cap that restricted the total travel and accommodation allowance amount paid to apprentices and trainees that previously applied, which meant towards the end of the teaching year, learners could be caught short.
"It is just another way we are making it easier and more affordable to get trade skills or qualifications and comes on top of TasTAFE going fee-free for some courses and heavily subsidised or free training being made available through other registered training organisations."
