Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney is shown one of the Tenstar Tractor VR simulators by RIST media trainee Kellan Sander at Sheepvention.

A NEW app to help sheep producers and their workers reduce their carbon footprint was launched at Hamilton’s Sheepvention Rural Expo by Victoria’s Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education and Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney yesterday.

Ms Tierney announced $1 million through the Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund for the new training app through the Rural Industries Skill Training Centre (RIST), a Skills First registered training organisation in Hamilton.

The easy-to-use training app will use virtual reality simulations to help sheep producers collect data on pasture utilization and sheep production and welfare which, so they can make decisions on the most effective strategies to manage climate variability while reducing CO2 emission intensity.

The app will also help farmers collect and compile emissions data to meet the emerging Clean Energy requirements from their supply chain and maintain access to domestic and international markets.

The project is funded through a Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund grant, which creates opportunities for partnerships between the Victorian training sector and industry to deliver training that supports the Labor Government’s work to decarbonise the economy and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The minister also announced an investment of $328,000 for the purchase of two to support the delivery of Certificate II in Agriculture courses at RIST.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has made a record $3.5 billion investment to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.

Ms Tierney said the new easy-to-use app is one of the innovating training solutions the Victorian Government is supporting to ensure the agriculture industry is well positioned to deliver the clean economy of tomorrow.”

“Our government recognises the vital role our agriculture industry plays in Victoria and is investing in projects to support its future and provide the training needed to support its workforce.”

RIST Centre chief executive Bill Hamill said the initiative will provide the sheep industry workforce with a timely and innovative training program to assist the industry comply with the national and global emission policies.