Informed and Supported Workers Program for Gippsland (ISW-G)

The ISW-G program commenced in July 2022 as a pilot that will run until June 2023.

The rationale behind the program is to identify and provide wrap-around support to vulnerable seasonal workers, ranging from information in different languages, training & skills development, everyday communication and life-skill barriers, through to referrals for health and legal services support.

The objectives of the program are to:

  1. Improve the length of stay, sustainability and productivity of the seasonal workforce coming to the Greater Gippsland region by providing, advocating for or linking to necessary holistic community and employment supports;

  2. Promote COVID-safe behaviours, emphasising vaccination and testing, for seasonal workers coming into the region;

  3. Build cultural competency in the Greater Gippsland region seasonal workforce with a focus on horticulture production businesses; and

  4. Work with seasonal industry leaders and stakeholders in the Greater Gippsland region to address barriers to recruitment and retention of seasonal workers to meet industry needs into the future.

Since the program commenced in July 2022, we have been gathering information across numerous horticulture farms from the employers and employee groups. While information varies from each horticulture enterprise, several common themes have been identified. The project is identifying existing services and other opportunities for the industry to meet these needs including training and cultural awareness.

For example, workers coming into Australia know little about our culture - and we know little about theirs. Many of those who have come from the Pacific Islands previously had no electricity or appliances. What are they for, and how are they operated? We take our everyday general tasks for granted but for these workers, barriers such as this make the transition to life in Australia more difficult than we might imagine.

Now that we have collected data and identified the core issues, wrap-around support services will be implemented over the next six months to support these workers from overseas.  FFG will be working with each of the six Local Government Agencies and other support services in Gippsland. 

Issues identified through the consultation process:

1.      Understanding Australian culture

2.      The employers’ understanding the culture/s of overseas workers

3.      Every day skills to operate electrical appliances, undertake general shopping, use of ATMs etc.

4.      What medical support is available and how to access it

5.      Alcohol-related services

6.      Homesickness issues

7.      Access and use of technology

8.      Language and numeracy skills

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 What’s coming up?

  • 17 January, 4pm – 5pm: webinar for businesses, introducing AMES Australia and their programs available to workplaces

  • February and March: Induction package to introduce workers to our region and way of life

  • Cultural awareness training for businesses

  • Linkages to current COVID-19 services and vaccination clinics

Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) will be publishing information on a monthly basis about progress of the program, wrap-around services that are put in place and a look ahead at information and events.

If you have any questions on the program, insights, information, or ideas you would like to offer or any support you can suggest, please contact F&FG to discuss on the contact details below.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Contact:

Bonnie Dawson, Regional Development Officer

Food & Fibre Gippsland

Mob. 0407 683 938

Email: bonnie.dawson@foodandfibregippsland.com.au

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Do you know about Ask Izzy?

Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in need with healthcare, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more. It’s free and anonymous, and has many local services listed. We recommend sharing this with your workforce as an easily accessible directory of support services in times of need.

 

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