From left in the front at the fund launch were Labor’s candidate for the Polwarth seat Hutch Hussein, Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney, Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle and RIST Hamilton chief executive officer Bill Hamill.

A $15 million Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund was launched in Victoria last week, promising grants of up to $2m for eligible TAFEs and other eligible providers offering innovative programs.

Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney launched the fund at the South West TAFE office in Colac last Wednesday, coinciding with the release of the Future of Agriculture Training Review report.

The Victorian Government said the investment will support TAFE and other training providers to work directly with industry to develop targeted future-focused training for Victoria’s future agricultural professionals.

Grants of up to $2 million will be available to eligible TAFEs and other training providers to help them deliver new or revamped training.

To ensure that Victoria’s training system is contemporary, the grants will support new curriculum design, delivery, equipment and technology.

The fund will help deliver on the findings of the Future of Agriculture Training Review. Click here to read the review report.

The review outlines how TAFEs and training providers can attract and prepare students for agriculture’s evolving demands.  It found that progress and success in delivering skill solutions and outcomes, raising training and skills recognition and lifting awareness of agricultural career pathways and skilling opportunities depended on strong input and collaboration from all parts of the agriculture industry.

The review is a culmination of more than 300 consultations including with TAFEs, industry, agriculture business owners and students led by Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP.

Ms Tierney said the new fund will provide the next generation of farmers the skills they need to tackle the challenges of the future and position our agriculture sector as a career of choice.

“The review plays a huge role in guiding our agriculture training now and into the future – ensuring students have the tools they need for great careers and that the sector continues to get the support it needs.”

South West TAFE chief executive officer Mark Fidge said agriculture is important to the region with new workers needing to be trained to ensure the ongoing success of the industry.

“It’s wonderful to see the future of this sector supported as part of this review.”

Ms Settle said the review is an amazing feat and a true work of collaboration.

“It reflects the strengths and the priorities of the education, TAFE and training sectors, and it’s great to see the industry already responding to the findings.”

The Agriculture TAFE and Training Fund is part of the Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund established under the Government’s $50 million Agricultural College Modernisation Program which supports more Victorians to pursue careers in agriculture.

Applications for the agricultural fund are open until 23 November 2022.  For more information and to apply for the fund visit business.vic.gov.au/attf.