Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence

Site works have begun on a new Centre of Excellence that will support growth in Tasmania’s agriculture sector.

The $5 million Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence at TasTAFE’s Freer Farm in Burnie will train people for employment in the sector and support farmers to up-skill.

The centre is funded by the Tasmanian Government and last week (Friday 20 May) Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, Roger Jaensch and Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jo Palmer, helped turn the first sod on the construction site.

Developed in consultation with an industry steering committee, the Centre of Excellence will include a contemporary learning centre, coupled with an education plan to build industry-relevant skills for now and into the future.

Stage one of the project is the construction of the learning centre building, designed by Philp Lighton Architects. Site preparation works are already underway with successful tenderer, AJR Construct, commencing construction on-site 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 will be equipped with the latest technology, catering for online as well as face to face learning and industry demonstrations and events.

Completion of the Stage one building is scheduled for early 2023.

The second stage of the project will include new and upgraded farm infrastructure including, stockyards, protected cropping and farm biosecurity, supporting research and innovation.

More details on TasTAFE’s Agricultural Training Centre of Excellence can be found at: www.tastafe.tas.edu.au/agricultural-centre-of-excellence