For the first time in Bowen TAFE’s history, a range of specialist courses in agriculture will be available thanks to its brand-new $3.4 million upgrade which was celebrated with the opening of its Agriculture Centre Of Excellence on Tuesday.
The facility will offer advanced technology which includes a Farmbot for robotics, nutrition, soil science, biology and coding; and there’s a Growpod for monitoring stable growing environments and producing horticultural and agricultural products in all climates.
There will also be a virtual reality room providing advanced technology for emerging industry needs and a science lab.
The facility also has remotely monitored and controlled technology and devices, so that Bowen students can connect to the Rural Centre of Excellence on the Toowoomba TAFE campus.
Councillor Michelle Wright attended the opening and was excited to receive a full tour of the facilities, allowing her an insight into the high-tech modern working spaces that students can now enjoy.
“It will be a fantastic place for growing new skills and I don’t think kids today are necessarily aware of the different careers you can have in agriculture,” she said.
“Being the salad bowl of the state, we are in a really good place to help and assist our local growers.
“This facility will be a game-changer for Bowen and the agriculture industry as a whole.”
Jobs Queensland predicts agriculture industry jobs in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday and Townsville regions will increase by more than 10 per cent from 2020-21 to 2024-25 employing more than 10,300 workers.
The new facility in Bowen will be able to cater for this substantial growth and will be able to upskill and educate a thriving local workforce.
Image: Bowen TAFE received a $3.4 million upgrade and opened its Agriculture Centre Of Excellence on Tuesday. Photo credit: Liz Andrew Photography
