Careers in the horticulture industry have gone on show as part of a series of videos released.
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Peak industry body AUSVEG launched the series to coincide with National Agriculture Day, which has been highlighting job opportunities and asking people to choose their own #AgVenture.
The series includes video interviews with employees from different fruit and vegetable industries across Australia to gain an understanding some of the behind-the-scenes but vital roles in the industry.
AUSVEG national public affairs manager Tyson Cattle said the series was designed to highlight the technical and skilled opportunities available on fruit and vegetable farms across Australia.
"The horticulture sector is a large, developed and diverse industry that employs a wide range of skilled people," he said.
"While much of the media attention is focused on harvest labour within the sector, it is often forgotten that the industry requires a range of skillsets to manage and operate their farm business.
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"The horticulture industry has many opportunities for workers to upskill and access on the job training further their career in horticulture.
"Whilst there are many harvesting opportunities on the Harvest Trail, there is also a range of other essential roles to be found on farm and production line."
These videos will show the daily tasks, responsibilities, and pathways of existing employees on Australian farms.
Many of the roles highlighted in the video series are in the highest demand in businesses across the horticulture sector and align with the approved 31 occupations under the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement supporting growers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers from overseas to fill these critical occupations.
"Growers' preference is always to employ locals first where possible, when they have the right skills and attitude," Mr Cattle said.
"These videos aim to showcase the many varied career opportunities for local workers in the exciting $15 billion Australian horticulture industry to entice people to give the industry a go.
"Many people we interviewed for these videos did not intend on a career in horticulture, but discovered a passion for it after working on the farm.
"They have each come from various backgrounds and landed in horticulture through different avenues by transferring key skills from seemingly unrelated courses and past careers to start successful careers in horticulture.
"A job in horticulture can be the start of a lifelong, satisfying career with plenty of opportunities for upward growth. Putting food on the table for millions of families in Australia and abroad makes it a worthwhile and fulfilling career."
Among the career options on show are:
- Irrigationist
- Production horticulturalist
- Section supervisor
- Agronomist
- Senior nursery person
- Horticulture grower
- Machinery supervisor
- Production assistant/sales
- Quality assurance manager
- Farm manager
- Operation and sales manager
- Protected cropping grower
- Logistics and transport manager
- Integrated pest management officer
- Production supervisor
- Biosecurity officer
To find out more about the Grow your Career in Horticulture series, visit ausveg.com.au/grow-your-career.
The Grow your Career in Horticulture series is funded by the Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment through the Harvest Trail Services Industry Collaboration Trial.
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