AS part of a growing presence in rural training and education, South West Tafe (SWTAFE) is adopting innovations in driver simulation and information technology (IT).

SWTAFE is also offering a widening variety of agricultural subjects in Hamilton, including a program which brings practical farm training to school students in Year 11 and Year 12.

The increase in offerings follows the December 2023 transfer of ownership of the 20-acre Hamilton campus to SWTAFE from The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).  

The technological innovations are based on The Agriculture Tech Skills Project (ATSP), which has been given State funding through Agriculture Victoria.

SWTAFE Head of Agriculture, Ed Roache told The Spectator this week the ATSP had four main aims:

• The development and use of new high-tech agricultural equipment to be integrated into mobile training, which will be used in training from short courses through to Certificate II and on to diploma qualifications,

• The ‘upskilling’ of current and future agriculture teachers so as to create a network of professional development (PD) for all agriculture teachers,

• The creation of an Ag Info-Tech training centre at Glenormiston College near Terang,

• Heading up a state-wide indigenous land management project.

One item of Ag Info-Tech of particular interest is a sheep handling system which has an attached ear-tag identifier. The system allows for automatic recording of weight and the entering of other key data so that a comprehensive ‘real-time’ flock register is kept.

In addition, SWTAFE is running school-based apprenticeships to Year 11 and 12 students, as well as Vocational Education and Training (VET), which can be taken up by Year 10 students as well.

SWTAFE is also operating on a mobile basis with a truck fitted out with two simulators which can visit shows and field days.

The two driver simulators are manufactured by Swedish company Tenstar Simulation AB.

They can simulate the functions and movements of a tractor, header or telehandler (telescopic forklift) as desired. 

This is essentially an agricultural version of the aircraft cockpit simulators used in pilot training.

Mr Roache told The Spectator that telehandler drivers will need to be licensed by Worksafe Victoria after July 1.

The castration simulator is manufactured by Byaduk animal reproduction expert and entrepreneur, Brad Pickford, and his firm, Breed’n Betsy.

This simulator is a physical mock-up designed to give the student a hands-on simulation or rehearsal of castration, in order to instil the correct technique for this delicate but vital operation.

SWTAFE Hamilton and Grampians regional manager, Ursula Murphy, said uptake of agriculture courses by schools was very positive due to the practical, hands-on learning experience.

At a recent ‘Try a Career Day’ (practical information session) at Warrnambool, 11 secondary schools from the district were present.

Ms Murphy added that employment opportunities were excellent in agriculture with inquiries being received from employers, which SWTAFE handed to The Skills and Jobs Centre, an independent organisation handling placements.

Ursula Murphy went on to stress the importance of short skill-specific courses, often free of charge, which could be taken up and open ‘pathways’ to further study to Certificate IV or diploma level.

As to the future, SWTAFE is intending to add a Diploma of Applied Agronomy course in 2025.

Ms Murphy said mid-year enrolments are underway with a closing date in mid-July.