Workforce Support Forum for Horticulture
The horticulture industry in Gippsland produces 25%* of Victoria’s vegetables and having a stable workforce plays a big role in its ongoing success.
Food & Fibre Gippsland (FFG), together with VegNET Gippsland, the Victorian Farmers Federation, TAFE Gippsland and Agriculture Victoria, will hold a Horticulture Workforce Forum in Sale on Tuesday 22nd June to update growers on initiatives in place to support them in growing, retaining and looking after their employees.
FFG’s Employment Program, supported by Jobs Victoria, has been working with a number of growers for the last four years, providing support in finding the right employees, funding and facilitating training for new employees as well as introducing trainees to the horticulture industry.
The program aims to spread its reach further and wider across the region, and FFG representatives will be explaining how growers can connect with the program to access ongoing support that helps build a strong, robust workforce for their business all year round.
VFF Farm Safety Advisor John Darcy will be providing an update on the important issue of farm safety, following the introduction of workplace manslaughter laws that came into effect in Victoria in July last year. There is a wide range of support services available to help with farmer and worker’s safety, wellbeing and mental health, and growers are encouraged to connect with John to find out more about the Making our Farms Safer program.
TAFE Gippsland’s Bruce Macpherson will have an update on the horticulture and agriculture courses currently on offer, inviting feedback from growers about course content to help maximise the on-the-job future effectiveness of the TAFE training.
The region’s seasonal workforce continues to be a challenge in a Covid impacted environment. There’ll be an update from Agriculture Victoria as they continue to engage with industry and many other stakeholders to find workable solutions.
FFG’s This is My Job Series has opened the eyes and ears of many people around the region, with an online campaign of video stories profiling a wide range of employees from four leading horticulture businesses. Close to 30 jobs have been put in the spotlight, with the people in them proving there’s a lot more to horticulture than manual labour in the field. A few of these short video clips will be shown at the forum, with guidance offered to growers on how they can use these video resources in their own recruiting processes.
The forum will be held at the Criterion Hotel in Sale from 11:30am to 2:30pm and numbers are limited due to current Covid restrictions, so registrations are essential.
Please call Bonnie Dawson on 0407 683 938 to reserve your seat or email bonnie.dawson@foodandfibregippsland.com.au . There may be additional forums held in other locations if there is enough demand, so it is vital to register your interest with Bonnie ASAP to assist with catering for this event, Covid safe requirements and forward planning for possible future forums.
*source: Agriculture Victoria August 2018 – Gippsland- Invest in Victorian agriculture and food.
