16 August 2024  

As National Skills Week draws close, local high school students are gaining firsthand experience in the future of agriculture through a five-week AgTech Career Taster Program at TAFE NSW Armidale.

Throughout the program, which launched in July and concludes next Tuesday, 20 August, a selection of Year 9 and 10 students from Armidale High School, Armidale Secondary College, Glen Innes High School, and Uralla Central School have been learning essential AgTech skills in drone operations, the Internet of Things, coding, and artificial intelligence in agriculture. The initiative aims to raise awareness of careers that merge agriculture with technology, encouraging students to stay, study, and work in Regional NSW.

As the Australian Government sets its sights on growing the agriculture sector into a $100 billion industry by 2030, integrating new digital technologies is crucial to achieving this goal[1]. By 2030, one in three new jobs in the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry industry will be technology-related.[2]

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Information Technology Jackie Sheehan said the AgTech Career Taster Program provides students with real-world experience and an understanding of career pathways in this growing sector.  

“Over the past four weeks we’ve had two groups of students gain hands-on technological skills that can be applied to a career in agriculture,” Ms Sheehan said. “This includes drone operation, understanding enhanced automation and security through the Internet of Things, designing and building a model smart farm and weather station, and learning from industry guest speakers.

“A key highlight of this program has been the collaborative training approach which has involved industry, vocational, and tertiary education sectors. Students have participated in practical sessions at TAFE NSW Armidale, and hands-on workshops with the Department of Primary Industries and the University of New England. We’re confident this program will inspire more young people to pursue careers in the sector.”

The program is being delivered by the Office of Regional Economic Development and Training Services NSW under the Regional Investment Attraction Program, Targeted Workforce Development Scheme.

During National Skills Week, TAFE NSW will host its annual virtual Open Day on 22 August, from 9 am to 4 pm. It is open to prospective and current students, educators, industry partners, and the public. Attendees can explore 12 webinars, access on-demand content, take virtual campus tours, book one-on-one meetings with teachers, or join drop-in sessions to gather information to support their lifelong learning goals. Register for the TAFE NSW Virtual Open Day at: https://tafenswevents.eventsair.com/virtual-open-day-2024/register.

Media contact: Melanie O’Connell, Communications Specialist, melanie.oconnell@tafensw.edu.au or

0409 930777