An additional $30 million is being used to create the Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund to support TAFEs and other agriculture education and training providers to boost students’ skills and carve a pathway in the industry.
The guidelines for the Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund are being developed in consultation with industry and will be launched in the second half of 2021.
The funding is part of a 10-year strategy to drive Victoria’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and bolster the economy.
“Our investment in agriculture colleges and other education providers will ensure the next generation of agriculture workers has the programs and facilities they need to be future ready,” Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.
“This project aligns with our Agriculture Strategy, ensuring we can modernise the industry and support students to get the skills and training they need to boost agriculture jobs.”
Under the program funding, Marcus Oldham College in Waurn Ponds will receive $2.5 million to build 30 new student bedrooms on campus, which will increase onsite capacity to more than 100 beds. This will ensure that all full-time students can be accommodated on site.
The project will commence in mid-2021 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.
Marcus Oldham is a non-profit college offering higher education qualifications in agriculture, agribusiness and equine management at a Diploma through to Masters level.
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