Fury at lack of tractor training

A lack of tractor training in schools has infuriated TasFarmers President Ian Sauer.

Outside of TasTAFE, the Lilydale District School and Sheffield School are the only two educational facilities in the state that offer tractor safety training.

Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) regulations state that schools offering a Certificate II in either agriculture or horticulture can run the Tractor safety unit.

Mr Sauer said he was frustrated at the lack of schools that were offering tractor training.

“If we want Tasmania to reach its $10 billion farmgate target by 2050 then education is going to be a major component of that,” he said.

“You can have all the productivity, innovation and technology in the world, but you’ve got to have the education to drive it.”

Mr Sauer said tractor training in schools used to be more commonplace.

“Some people say it’s not a big deal, but it is.

“It’s an opportunity for people who want to get into agriculture to be taught how to properly and appropriately work around and drive tractors in a safe environment.”

Around 12 months ago Mr Sauer said TasFarmers had begun discussions with DECYP about a lack of tractor training in schools.

“It is just a very slow bureaucratic process and it seems that there are barriers put in place not to do this training.

“There’s always an excuse as to why it hasn’t happened – whether staff aren’t there, they can’t get the tractor or there is a safety issue.”

Mr Sauer said his organisation had “bent over backwards” to make tractor training in public schools more widespread.

“We’ve supplied people for reference groups and steering committees.
“We’ve done everything we can do because we think that education is seriously important.

“For us, it’s a malaise - there’s no urgency to get this stuff done.”

A DECYP spokesperson stated that safety was its top priority when it came to tractor training.

“DECYP is committed to continuing to work with key stakeholders and community, including external providers and industry representatives to inform evidence-based safety requirements and best practice.

“DECYP meets regularly with TasFarmers to update them on training and activity in DECYP relating to the agriculture industry.

“This has included seeking feedback on training resources for the tractor unit.”