Freer Farm will become a North-West training hub where students can study agriculture at various tertiary levels.
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The Tasmanian government announced plans to invest $5 million to make Freer Farm an Agricultural Centre of Excellence before the election.
Under this plan the Burnie-based centre includes TasTAFE agricultural courses and extended educational options through partnerships with Agritas and the University of Tasmania.
Representatives from Tasmania’s key agricultural peak bodies and businesses met at Freer Farm to Friday to discuss the next steps for realising the School of Excellence, Education and Training Minister Jeremy Rockliff said.
“This is a chance for the Tasmanian government to listen to agribusiness leaders and industry and get their ideas and views about how the centre can maximise their workforce development needs,” Mr Rockliff said.
Industry input into how the centre should be run and training will be delivered should reflect the agricultural sector’s strong partnerships throughout the state and a shared vision, he said.
Agricultural students can study specific industry-led training, certificate and diploma qualifications and associate degrees in agriculture, natural resource management and agribusiness at the Centre of Excellence.
“The Tasmanian government will also invest in Freer Farm to update its ageing infrastructure and equipment and to build a contemporary farm-based learning space,” Mr Rockliff said.
The $5 million funding will also be used for outreach training via a mobile facility for farmers.