TAFE NSW Enhances Farm Vehicle Safety Program with Green-Skilling Initiative for Future Farmers

By Jeff Gibbs

As National Skills Week highlights the growing demand for skilled workers in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing, with more than 13,400 new jobs projected between 2023 and 2028, TAFE NSW is at the forefront of preparing future farmers with essential skills. Australia’s largest registered training organization is expanding its Farm Vehicle Safety Program (FVSP) to include electric vehicle (side by side) safety training, aligning with the industry’s shift towards energy-effcient practices.

TAFE NSW has invested in three electric vehicles to supplement its FVSP, which has been equipping students with practical farm vehicle operation skills since 2019. The program is designed for students aged 16 and older, allowing them to gain confdence in operating various farm vehicles, including two-wheel motorbikes, quad bikes, farm bikes, side by side utility vehicles, and now electric vehicles. Training takes place on dedicated circuits or working farms, providing students with real-world experience to excel in their agricultural careers.

The inclusion of electric vehicles in the program is timely, as more farmers are considering them as a sustainable option. TAFE NSW Executive Director of Education and Skills North, Jason Darney, announced that these electric vehicles would be deployed across select North Coast campuses, with approximately 159 students expected to be trained on them during the 2024-2025 period.

“TAFE NSW welcomes electric vehicles to its farm vehicle feet as a valuable addition. Several training programs using the vehicles have been successfully conducted over the past few months as part of our farm safety delivery option,” Darney said.

Since its inception, the FVSP has seen substantial growth. In the 2018-2019 fnancial year, 300 students participated, and this number has more than doubled, with 615 students registering for the current fnancial year. The program is available in TAFE NSW’s North, South, and West regions, with participating students receiving a Statement of Attainment to acknowledge the specifc farm vehicle skills they have acquired.

National Skills Week, running from 19 to 25 August 2024, marks its 14th year in raising awareness of vocational learning