South West TAFE students began studying courses at the Glenormiston College campus in 2017.

THE Andrews Labor Government has opened a $2 million redevelopment of South West TAFE’s historic Glenormiston campus.

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney opened the redevelopment last week, delivering on a key election commitment and boosting agriculture and horticulture training in the region.

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.

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.

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney said the historic Glenormiston campus meant a lot to the local community and to Victoria’s training sector.

“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.”

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said Victoria was continuing to support the industry by fostering the next generation of experience and enthusiastic farmers.

South West TAFE CEO Mark Fidge said the redevelopment signalled a new era of training at Glenormiston.