TYRRELL College will continue to expand its agricultural program thanks to State Government funding designed to support students’ transition to agricultural careers.
The college received $200,000 as part of the Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund, which aims to support schools to deliver agriculture skills of the future.
While Tyrrell College is already renowned for its agricultural programs, the funding will provide a focus on the overall growth of agricultural industries, while helping meet the growing demands of the sector.
Agriculture now requires workers with digital, business and marketing skills, as well as food and fibre entrepreneurs, who can market products internationally.
Tyrrell College careers advisor Danni Ryan said it was an exciting time for the agricultural industry and the funding would allow the school to deliver a hands-on approach to education.
“We want to think big and expose the students to as much as we can,” Ms Ryan said.
She said a career in agriculture was not limited to farming and the focus would be on the growth of agricultural industries and their various careers.
“We hope to provide engaging activities to inspire kids to see what career pathways are out there.”
As part of the project, the school will create an agricultural learning facility to improve hands-on learning at Agriculture Certificate II and VCE levels to inspire all Mallee students to consider an agricultural career.
Ms Ryan said the school would work in consultation with its partners to “co-design an innovative and practical curriculum that leverages existing resources, equipment, land, and industry connections”.
The school will also design and run an annual careers event for students across the Mallee to meet potential employers and explore future pathways within the agricultural industry.
Tyrrell College agriculture teacher Ashlen Wright said the funding would enable the school to create an educational agricultural hub for Mallee students.
“We are hoping to create a state-of-the-art learning facility that will enable us to provide our students and students of the region an opportunity to use new and emerging technologies,” Ms Wright said.
The college hopes to create a space allowing students to connect and interact with industry experts, while being exposed to current research and development trials at the school farm in conjunction with leading agronomic services.
Read about SEA Lake resident Ashlen Wright’s Tyrrell College success story
