PROVIDING local workers with “valuable” skills and addressing ongoing labour shortages among the Riverland agriculture industry are the goals of a new employment program.
The state government last week announced a pilot program for Riverland seasonal workers to be employed all year, under the Skilling South Australia initiative.
Through the program, Murraylands Employment and Training South Australia will employ 18 jobseekers, with 12 to commence a Certificate II in Horticulture through the Riverland Horticulture Council.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said encouraging stable employment was necessary to support Riverland agriculturalists through the impacts of Covid-19 restrictions on available labour.
“This is a creative solution to providing regional South Australians with full-time employment while also addressing labour shortages for employers in the agriculture sector,” Mr Whetstone said.
“The trainees will complete four-month rotations with different employers where they will learn various skills that are essential to completing their traineeship.
“This will give them a well-rounded experience and ensure they have the skills and capabilities to be assets to any agriculture business.
“It also provides employers with access to workers for their seasonal harvest while teaching them the skills to succeed in the industry, providing local career pathways.”
Participants will also undertake the Ready, Set, Go Employability Skills JobTrainer course to “build their job readiness skills and capabilities” with MADEC Australia.
Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland (RDAMR) deputy chief executive Vanessa Leigh said participants would learn about chemical application, how to operate basic machinery, planting, how to harvest and post-harvest horticultural crops, soil sampling and testing, and environmentally sustainable work practices.
“Individuals will also learn skills across various commodities in the Riverland through work placement at a range of businesses, starting with citrus, almonds, stone fruit and moving into vintage, providing a holistic learning environment for the Agricultural sector,” Ms Leigh said.
“Businesses will have access to a local pool of labour they can tap into during peak times and release them when work ceases, which will then become available to other businesses.
“Traditional seasonal work will be transformed into full-time employment for individuals, increasing the appeal of working in this sector.”
It is understood information sessions for interested participants will be held this month.
For further information contact the RDAMR on 8535 7170, or visit the website (rdamr.com.au).
Further information regarding the Skilling South Australia program can be found by visiting the website.