Excellence at TAFE and beyond

Staff reports

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One of the realities of raising a family on the Granite Belt is that tertiary education is needed to be obtained further afield. This essentially means that tertiary-bound young adults move away to universities in cities, or if considering veterinary studies, there’s the University of Queensland Campus at Gatton as the closest study hub.

Readers might be interested to know that the Palaszczuk Government is further investing in TAFE pathways in Toowoomba, which is accessible from the Southern Downs.

There is current expansion of the now $8.1 million Rural Centre of Excellence into its second stage, as a part of its $100 million investment. These dollars are said to “place Toowoomba’s TAFE Queensland campus on the agricultural training map”.

Officially opening the centre’s second stage, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the stateof-the-art facility is “helping to prepare Queensland’s workforce for the anticipated growth in the state’s $23.5 billion agriculture industry”.

“The Queensland Government is providing specialised training to get more people into more jobs, and we are making sure our industries are supported by people who are trained in the latest facilities and technologies,” Minister Farmer said.

“The Rural Centre of Excellence, which was officially opened three years ago, trains students in more than 25 courses covering the latest in innovative, sustainable agriculture and horticulture practices.

“This new $1.1 million facility, which includes a specialised laboratory, will also offer a new course in Laboratory Skills – for the first time in Toowoomba.

“I know local agribusinesses are excited about their employees being trained in improved analysis of environmental samples of soil and water along with grains, seeds, and animal health.

“In 2021-22 more than 560 students were trained at the centre and enrolments are expected to continue to grow this year, especially with three of the centre’s courses available under the new Fee Free TAFE agreement with the Federal Government.”

In more pluses, there has been a reported 1,800 students through the Rural Centre of Excellence. “Many have gone on to secure jobs in the farming and cat- tle industry, veterinary practices, and horticulture industries,” Minister Farmer continued. “Almost 1,200 students have studied agriculture and horticulture at the centre with the help of the State Government’s Free TAFE and Free Apprenticeships for Under 25’s programs, as well as the Job Trainer scheme.”

Overall, the training is described as “cutting edge” and Jobs Queensland predict agriculture industry jobs in the Darling Downs, and particularly in the Maranoa region “will increase by 11.5 per cent from 202021 to 2024-25 with a 20,000-strong workforce”.

State-wide by 2024-25 it is predicted the industry workforce will grow to more than 87,000 – up 8,700 since 2020-21, and the Queensland Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan 20222027 has identified the four priority groups for future employment growth as grazing, horticulture, crops, and aquaculture.

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“The anticipated growth is great news for students and a highly skilled workforce is great news for employers,” Minister Farmer said.

For more information about the Rural Centre of Excellence and its courses, including the fee-free TAFE courses visit tafeqld.edu.au

Information Centre

Who do these welcoming smiles belong to at the Stanthorpe Information Centre and what are they smiling about? Pick up Friday’s Stanthorpe Record to find out about a new venture, enlivening the hearts and minds of young artists particularly.