The Andrews Labor Government is backing the next generation of farmers to pursue an exciting career in agriculture with more student accommodation at Waurn Ponds Marcus Oldham College.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the college campus to open a new 30 bedroom facility, which will ensure more students have an immersive on-campus experience. It has been supported with $2.5 million in funding from the Labor Government’s Agricultural College Modernisation Program.
The Program helps agriculture colleges and other training providers to upgrade the programs and facilities they need to educate Victoria’s future farmers and agriculture professionals.
Marcus Oldham is a non-profit college offering higher education qualifications in agriculture, agribusiness, and equine management at a Diploma through to Masters level.
The state's growing food and fibre sector needs more skilled workers with a range of skills including digital, business, risk and marketing skills to take products to international markets.
This is the first infrastructure project to be completed as part of the Program. It has increased on-campus accommodation to 153 beds, enabling more students to access education and enhance their agricultural knowledge.
The project is part of the $50 million Agricultural College Modernisation Program, which has allocated $20 million to upgrade facilities at Longerenong College, the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus and Marcus Oldham College in Geelong.
The Agricultural College Modernisation Program is delivering on the Labor Government’s 10-year Agriculture Strategy to support the skills of the future and help more Victorians pursue an exciting career in agriculture.
Learn more about the program on the Agriculture Victoria .
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas
“This new accommodation is going to make a huge difference to Victoria’s next generation of farmers and industry professionals. The program will enhance education and career pathways for young people in agriculture.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“The program will create stronger learning pathways for agriculture through better facilities that enhance student learning as well as ensuring more students can live on site and benefit from the full immersive experience of living on-campus.”
Quote attributable to Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman
“Our $50 million investment in agriculture training will provide students with modern facilities that foster their learning and prepare them for the agricultural jobs of the future.”
Quote attributable to Principal of Marcus Oldham College Andrew Baker
“Living on campus is essential to produce great graduates and thanks to the Victorian Government more students can engage in the full Marcus Oldham educational experience.”
Reviewed 15 June 2022