THE seasonal worker campaign delivered by the Fruit Growers Victoria (FGV), Cobram District Fruit Growers Association and Greater Shepparton City Council (GSCC) is now accepting registrations for the 2021/22 picking season.
Established last year as Pick Shepp, FGV received $500,000 from Regional Development Victoria to grow the campaign on a larger scale across the Goulburn Valley.
Pick GV will target seasonal workers across Australia to the region, providing training and support to retain employment past the summer harvest. Registrations remain open until March 2022.
GSCC’s Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe said this year’s harvest would need workers of all skill sets, with opportunities in fruit picking, pruning and thinning trees, driving tractors and machinery and packing fruit in the sheds, and more.
“If a job seeker can master these tasks, they are almost guaranteed ongoing farm work as they have proven their abilities and shown they have the right work ethic for employers. This often leads to supervisory roles on orchards.”
“It’s hands-on healthy work, most skills can be learnt on the job, some require extra training which we are willing to support and there’s various opportunities in the region to keep those skilled labourers working all year round,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“Being the Food Bowl of Australia, there is work available all year round in our region with opportunities to learn new skills and create exciting career pathways.”
Greater Shepparton is one of the largest food producing regions in Australia growing 86 percent of Australia’s pears, 70 percent of peaches, 49 percent of plums, 80 percent of kiwifruit and 42 percent of apples and supplying up to 25 percent of Victoria’s dairy.
The initial Pick Shepp program saw close to 100 jobseekers provided with farm work and mentorships in 2020, and nearly 30 percent of those continued working on farms beyond the summer season.
For more information and to register your interest please visit www.pickgv.com.au
