Secondary schools across Victoria will receive funding to help students gain the skills they need for a career in agriculture, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins today visited Velisha National Farms in Werribee South to announce grants will be awarded to 43 school projects that boost student pathways into the sector, as part of the $5.5 million Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund.
Broadford Secondary College will benefit from a $197,000 grant that will support students to gain the skills and experience needed to work in primary production and food, fibre and cropping enterprises – with a focus on beef, eggs and general agriculture.
Gippsland-based students looking to move into the dairy industry will be able to engage with Dairylearn Transition Pathways – a $200,000 project aimed at building pathways from education to the dairy workforce.
Across Wyndham and Hobsons Bay, the Werribee Regional Agriculture Pathways program will use a $189,500 grant to introduce students to modern agricultural techniques from seed to market.
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Around $1 million in funding will also allow tech schools to invest in new technology and resources to deliver online and outreach agricultural technology programs that meet the needs of industry as farming practices evolve.
It includes supporting agriculture camps at Geelong Tech School, traditional land care and bush foods at Bendigo Tech School and Smart Farm innovation at the Wyndham Tech School.
The Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund forms part of the Labor Government’s $50 million investment in the Agricultural College Modernisation Program – helping more students pursue careers in agriculture and meet the growing demands of the growing farm, food and fibre sector.
Improving access to vocational education and training (VET) is part of the Senior Secondary Pathway Reforms, offering students more choices that match their strengths and interests.
From 2023, more Victorian schools will provide access to a set of 12 core VET pathways for students. Agriculture and Environment is one of the core pathways, which reflect areas of high jobs growth and the diverse reasons students undertake VET.
