Producers Invited To Embrace Smart Farming Through Free AgTech Training

Producers and agribusinesses across the Greater Whitsunday region are being offered the chance to upskill in some of agriculture’s most exciting technologies, with 35 fully funded training places now available through TAFE Queensland.

The initiative, known as the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Ready - Skills Sponsorship Program, is supported by the Greater Whitsunday Regional Jobs Committee in collaboration with the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub. The program has been designed to equip local producers with practical skills in smart technologies that are rapidly changing the way the industry works.

The short, self-paced online courses are free to participants and cover a wide range of future-focused skills, including drone operation, SCADA systems, autonomous equipment, precision farming, geospatial technologies, and the use of sensors and monitoring devices.

Participants will also gain access to the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub, with a dedicated private channel for program support, peer-to-peer discussion, and a final interactive session to connect newly learned skills with real-world opportunities in agriculture and aquaculture.

Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Chief Executive Officer Kylie Porter said the program was about far more than training alone.

“This is a unique opportunity for our producers to gain new skills without financial risk, but the real value lies in what comes next,” Ms Porter said.

She explained that the micro-credentials will be embedded into a Community of Practice, providing ongoing opportunities for collaboration and growth.

“We are embedding these micro-credentials into an AgTech Community of Practice, where producers can continue to share knowledge, stories, skills, and connections,” she said.

At the centre of this network will be AgTech Activators—local champions drawn from the farming and agribusiness community who will help lead the charge.

“The AgTech Activators are growers and agribusiness professionals who understand the realities of farming in our region and are passionate about bridging the gap between technology and farm reality,” Ms Porter said.

She added that the long-term aim was to create both resilience and leadership within the sector.

“This is about building confidence, capability, and connections in agtech. It’s also about positioning our region as leaders in how we adopt and adapt technology to local conditions. We’re proud to be taking this next step in strengthening our agricultural ecosystem,” Ms Porter said.

The program will run from September through to November 2025, with expressions of interest open until the 5th of October. Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-in, best-dressed basis.

Producers and agribusiness professionals are encouraged to seize the opportunity to apply for the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Ready – Skills Sponsorship Program and be part of shaping the region’s future in smart farming.