Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas launched the new horticulture pilot program at Plunkett Orchards in Mooroopna, Goulburn Valley, on Thursday.
“This is an exciting new program, providing horticulture businesses with the skilled, reliable workforce they need now and in the future,” she said.
“We are gearing up our next generation of workers with the training and skills they need.”
The pilot program will link workers with expert training and on-the-job experience to build their skills and open new career pathways.
The pilot program, backed by $600,000 funding from the government, will be rolled out across critical horticulture regions including the Sunraysia, the Goulburn Valley and Gippsland.
It will also provide businesses with more workers to help build a sustainable and resilient seasonal workforce.
Plunkett Orchards is creating a world-class, modern workplace with high-tech picking platforms allowing workers to do their job without needing to climb ladders or carry heavy fruit bags.
The technology increases orchard efficiency and safety and has been a valuable for orchard managers to attract and retain workers in a competitive labour market.
The horticulture traineeships program is part of the government’s $84 million investment in agriculture as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and supports a skilled and resilient agriculture workforce for the future.
The new traineeships will be run by Apprenticeship Employment Network in collaboration with group training organisations, TAFEs, horticulture businesses, local industry groups and Agriculture Victoria.
The collaborative program will build pathways to high-level skills and knowledge in areas such as operating machinery and farm infrastructure as well as supply chains, relationship management and digital platforms, all critical skills needed for the future of Victoria’s world-class horticulture industry.
The government is working closely with the industry to remove barriers that have traditionally prevented workers from taking up horticulture roles, with a focus on improving accommodation, transport, training and support services.
