A NEW trial program which sees horticulture workers receive more on-the-job training and on-going support has started in the Goulburn Valley in an effort to hire and retain more workers.
The Goulburn Valley-based Fruit Growers Victoria (FGV) is one of only five organisations across the country to receive funding as part of the $1M Harvest Trail Services Industry Collaboration Trial.
The trial is designed to find new ways to encourage people to take up jobs in the horticulture sector – and keep them there – while meeting employer demand.
Finding and retaining orchard labour is an annual challenge made more difficult this year with the dearth of traditional backpacking labour. Reports of widespread worker exploitation and underpayment haven’t made the industry attractive to Australian workers en masse.
FGV grower services manager, Michael Crisera, said the two-year trial, which started this month, was about mentoring farm workers to maximise their time at work. The scheme has included daily pre-employment training sessions at McNab Orchards in Ardmona and will continue with on-the-job support.
“It’s not just for fruit pickers, too, but for all forms of farm work,” Mr Crisera said.
Mr Crisera said it was too early to tell if the two-year trial was a success, which is run in conjunction with the Greater Shepparton City Council and employment agency MADEC.
About 800 people have signed up to the scheme, but according to Mr Crisera, that doesn’t necessarily translate to 800 farm workers who will start, let alone stay, in farm work.
Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, said in addition to the scheme, the Government was also providing relocation assistance of up to $6000 for Australian citizens and $2000 for visa holders with general work rights for those who have moved to regional areas to take up agricultural work.
According to Mr Drum, the scheme has also targeted secondary school leavers, migrant communities, refugees, youth and women, with a percentage of workers coming from Melbourne to work in Greater Shepparton.
Greater Shepparton is one of the largest fruit producing regions in Australia, producing 86 percent of the country’s pears, 70 percent of Australia’s peaches, 49 percent of Australia’s plums, 80 percent of Australia’s Kiwi Fruit and 38 percent of Australia’s apples.
There are thousands of short-term jobs up for grabs, including fruit picking and packing, and general farm work. Those interested in taking up orchard work this summer are encouraged to go https://greatershepparton.com.au/business/pick-shepp, where you can register your interest. Your details will be forwarded to Fruit Growers Victoria, MADEC Shepparton and Agriculture Victoria for consideration.
