TAFE NSW is encouraging the next generation to take up an in-demand career in the booming agricultural sector by showcasing training pathways at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
It comes as the agriculture industry faces an ongoing skills shortage with Australia's peak farming body, National Farmers' Federation (NFF), saying TAFE NSW will play a critical role in ensuring the industry has the workforce to meet future demand. The NFF Roadmap outlines its vision to grow the agricultural workforce by 25 per cent over the next decade.
The iconic three-day event, which runs from 17 to 19 September, is southern Australia's largest agricultural fair, featuring the latest in machinery and farm equipment, farm produce, agronomy, government and health services, and agribusiness.
TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre has had a site at the event for more than 35 years and this year's is one of its largest ever.
The TAFE NSW site includes seven "junior judging stations", featuring demonstrations and interactive displays in subject areas including beef genetics, sheep production, crops and pastures, animal studies, and wool.
Local high school and primary school students have been invited to participate in the stations and gain a deeper understanding of how a TAFE NSW agriculture course can lead to an exciting and rewarding career.
The TAFE NSW site at Henty also includes a shearing demonstration, horticulture display, domestic pet first aid demonstration, and two hi-tech virtual welders.
A host of TAFE NSW Certificate IV and Diploma agriculture students will be at the event to network with employers and industry heavyweights, as well as see the latest farm equipment, machinery and services.
According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the nation's agriculture industry was worth a record $80 billion in 2022-23.
In July, the NSW Government announced it was helping futureproof the state's farming industry and support regional economies by extending a program focused on upskilling the agricultural workforce.
AgSkilled is an industry-led training program designed to upskill and better prepare the agricultural workforce for fast-moving changes driven by innovation, research, and technology.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
"It's great to see TAFE NSW continuing to support Henty Field Days and help foster the next generation of agricultural workers.
"As a former Minister for Primary Industries and current member of an electorate that has agriculture baked into its DNA, I'm acutely aware of the importance of ensuring the agriculture industry has the workforce to meet future demand.
"Agriculture is a rapidly changing industry and whether it's at the cutting edge of technology, working on the land, or in a lab, agriculture offers so many exciting career opportunities.
"TAFE NSW works closely with major agricultural employers to ensure training meets their changing needs, and Henty Field Days is a great opportunity to take the pulse of industry.
"The Riverina-Murray makes the largest regional contribution to agriculture production in NSW, and TAFE NSW has two specialist campuses in the region - TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre and TAFE NSW National Environment Centre.
"By investing in the skills and training of our workforce at these campuses, the NSW Government is ensuring our farmers and agricultural workers are well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future."
TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre Head Teacher of Agriculture, Rob Harris said:
"I've been attending Henty Field Days with TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre for more than 30 years and this is one of the largest exhibitions TAFE NSW has ever had.
"It's an ideal opportunity to showcase the many pathways available at TAFE NSW to get the real-world skills and knowledge to launch a career in agriculture.
"It also gives current students a close-up view of the changing face of agriculture and allows them to meet major industry employers.
"Our two local agricultural campuses are set on working farms, giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on skills and engage with the latest technology to get a running start to their careers."
