Roger Jaensch,Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth
Located at TasTAFE’s Freer Farm on Mooreville Road, the $5 million Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence will train people for employment in the sector and support farmers to up-skill.
Developed in consultation with an industry steering committee, it includes a contemporary learning centre, coupled with an education plan to build industry-relevant skills for now and into the future.
Designed by Philp Lighton Architects, stage one of the project is the construction of the learning centre, with AJR Construct set to begin building works at the end of May.
The design and layout of the building will allow students to move seamlessly from classroom-based tasks to practical on-farm tasks. It will include learning areas, breakout spaces, a meeting/conference area and exhibition space along with staffrooms.
The Centre of Excellence will be equipped with the latest technology, catering for online and face-to-face learning, as well as industry demonstrations and events.
Stage one is expected to be completed in early 2023. Stage two will include new and upgraded farm infrastructure including stockyards, protected cropping and farm biosecurity, supporting research and innovation.
Collaboration with industry and other education providers is key to the success of the Centre of Excellence, and today we welcomed TasTAFE and the University of Tasmania signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to enhance research and education outcomes for Tasmania’s agricultural industry.
The MOU formalises cooperation around key principles, including education and training pathways and coordination of resources, people knowledge and data.
The partnership will support growth in the agriculture sector and highlight the education pathways available to people in the North-West.
The Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence and the MOU will support our Government’s plan to upskill Tasmania’s agriculture workforce and our goal to increase the annual farm gate value of the sector to $10 billion by 2050.
More details on TasTAFE’s Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence can be found at: https://www.tastafe.tas.edu.au/agricultural-centre-of-excellence
