Community
23 June, 2023
Glenormiston College thriving
GLENORMISTON College is going from strength-to-strength after it received an additional $1.99 million funding boost from the Victorian Government.
South West TAFE will receive the funding towards further improvement at the college, including the construction of a state-wide Agriculture Tech Skills Centre.
The centre will feature state-of-the-art software and technologies, providing advanced professional development and learning opportunities for students and teachers.
South West TAFE chief executive officer Mark Fidge welcomed the funding.
“The continued investment by the government which allows us to continue to provide our programs, and to also expand programs, is really exciting,” he said.
“One of the things we’re looking forward to is activating spaces which we currently haven’t got activated.
“We’re looking at accommodation upgrades, the upgrade of education spaces and we’re also looking to bring in secondary school students as well as agricultural teachers from across the region, and across the state.
“They’ll have the opportunity to learn more about agriculture with state-of-the-art technology, so it’s a really exciting opportunity for us to lead that in an agricultural area.”
Mr Fidge said the agricultural industry had been crying out for skilled workers, and felt TAFE could help to provide an influx of talent as technological advancement in farming practice builds excitement for career possibilities.
“What we want to do is make sure we have great facilities, great equipment and all the latest technologies to ensure the teachers can come in and learn about these technologies and how the best educate students,” he said.
“We’re trying to create ways of attracting people in to this industry.
“It’s always difficult, but with the investment the government has made we’ll get a new cohort of students coming through with technology that is the way of the future in the agricultural sector.
“That excites kids to get involved and see a future for themselves in the industry.” Glenormiston College had been closed down in 2014 under the former Coalition Government until the Andrews Labor Government reopened the site in 2017, and has made $4 million in funding allocations in the past 16 months to build upon the offerings at Glenormiston College.
Mr Fidge said Glenormiston College was now a thriving environment on the cutting edge of agricultural training. “With a combination of fantastic teachers, the right sort of courses and a good number of students coming through doing certificates in horticulture we’re seeing growth,” he said.
“Our horticulture programs have been developed based off industry feedback, and I think what we’re seeing is a lot of students coming through who know there is a strong potential for them to go on and get good jobs.
“Last year we had the Victorian TAFE teacher of the year, Rebecca Toleman, who went on to become runner-up in the Australian teacher of the year.
“The way she teaches excites students who want to stay in the program and work in the industry afterwards; a big key is having the right teachers, and we have those.”
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney, who serves as Minister for Agriculture, Higher Education and Training and Skills, said the upgrades would help to provide an industry boost.
“We’re making sure the next generation of farmers is prepared with the tools and skills they need to respond to the ever-evolving demands of modern agriculture,” she said.
“These grants will provide a major boost to our agricultural training providers and are just one way we are encouraging more Victorians to pursue a future career in agriculture.”
