Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said the program provides much needed training support to farmers and communities severely affected by drought.
"We want to ensure we can support our farmers by providing training opportunities to improve their farming operations and increase opportunities for off-farm income.
"This program will be very valuable to farmers and drought affected communities, giving them an opportunity to gain new skills to be able to embrace new business opportunities.” The first Rural Support Training Program was delivered in Gatton from December 10 to 14 last year with a great response from participants.
Participant feedback on the chemicals, chainsaw and machinery washdown training completed was excellent.
The five different programs on offer, provide training in a range of areas including work health and safety, chemicals, chainsaws and hospitality.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the program offered flexible and practical training.
"During tough drought conditions, this program is an important contributor to these communities.” TAFE Queensland chief executive Mary Campbell said the training would help farmers engage with their local communities and increase off-farm revenue opportunities.
"Farmers are kept busy with a continuous body of work to maintain their farms and they need flexible training, which is why we’ve worked with the Queensland Government to develop the Rural Support Training Program.” Programs are short-term and enable famers to accommodate daily travel time and schedule farm tasks before and after the classes.
"We will continue to add programs as locations are negotiated with local communities,” said Ms Campbell.
For more information about the Rural Support Training Programs, contact TAFE Queensland.