Media releases

Federation TAFE will partner with agri-tech business GemKom to deliver the first nationally accredited training in medicinal cannabis cultivation and production in Australia, supported by a $1.6 million Workforce Training Innovation Fund (WTIF) grant from the Victorian Government.

From 2024, Federation TAFE will address workforce development requirements of the rapidly growing medicinal cannabis industry and skill the industry workforce with the delivery of the Certificate III in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production AHC 33920 traineeship program.

This qualification supports individuals who work as cultivation technicians in the medicinal cannabis industry with responsibilities for undertaking a range of skilled work in controlled growing, licensed medicinal cannabis operations.

The Certificate IV in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production AHC 42320 traineeship program will be delivered from 2025 and will be aimed at supervisory or managerial level employees in the cultivation and production sector of the medicinal cannabis industry who are responsible for ensuring workplace processes and operations comply with the legislative, regulatory and quality requirements of a controlled growing, licensed medicinal cannabis site.

GemKom, founded in 2019, will operate as an advanced cultivator and supplier of the highest-grade cannabis products to pharmaceutical companies in Australia and worldwide.

The company is currently working to establish a first-in-Australia, large scale, high-tech, indoor, highly automated, climate-controlled cultivation (CEA) facility in Ballarat with the project undergoing planning approvals. A pilot Certificate III course will be delivered from a host facility while the Ballarat CEA is established.

The certificate course deliveries will enhance the Victorian medicinal cannabis industry which has grown rapidly in recent years following significant changes to the market and regulatory environment including the passing of state and federal government legislation.

Modelling of the Victorian industry’s future growth trajectory estimates that by 2028:

• 241,886 patients are expected to demand medicinal cannabis
• Patients suffering from chronic pain, sleep disorders, migraine, cancer and anxiety will make up the most significant portion of domestic demand
• The Victorian medicinal cannabis industry is expected to service between 30-50% of Australian demand for medicinal cannabis products.

Nationally, Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry is worth around $258m but is expected to grow by a predicted 40% per annum for the next five years. The Federation TAFE courses will have significant economic implications for both the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Australia Provost, Liam Sloan

“Federation will be the first in Australia to deliver the Certificates III and IV in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production. The design and development of these courses presents many opportunities for Federation TAFE and the communities in which we operate, including the potential for hundreds of jobs in manufacturing, agriculture, research and development.”

“Industry partnerships are a key element of Federation’s co-operative education model, where all courses from the end of 2025 will be designed, developed and delivered in collaboration with industry, and where students will receive work integrated learning to give them a valuable head-start in their career. In keeping with our co-op model, the curriculums for these courses have been co-designed in collaboration with an advisory group comprising foremost experts on Australia’s licensed medicinal cannabis industry”

“Federation TAFE is committed to addressing skills shortages and is also excited to work with our industry partners to play a part in improving the quality of life for patients suffering from a range of conditions who will benefit from easier access to a range of reliable and locally produced medicinal cannabis products.”

Quotes attributable to GemKom CEO and Managing Director, Regina Komkha

“GemKom has incorporated the latest research, breakthroughs and best practices in cannabis cultivation from around the world. Our solar powered, first-in-Australia, large-scale, fit-for-purpose, high-tech, laboratory-standard, indoor controlled environment agriculture facility will establish GemKom as a leading-edge technologically advanced medicinal cannabis producer in Victoria.”

“GemKom is excited to partner with Federation in the design and delivery of the Certificate III and Certificate IV in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production. GemKom will provide practical training to the students as part of the curriculum to develop our highly skilled workforce. Supported by our industry partners the establishment of these qualifications will be critical for the growth of the industry overall.”

To register an expression of interest please contact tafeprojects@federation.edu.au