VegetablesWA has teamed up with DPIRD and several other industry bodies to tackle the ongoing issues of labour in state caused by the current travel restrictions. The main message they are telling the WA public is that ‘We are Here’. Horticulture has not stopped.
Between now and the end of the year it is expected that over 20,000 workers will be required in the Horticulture industry to efficiently pick, pack and transport WA’s fruit and vegetables to market.
Considering the number of unemployed due to COVID-19, students currently not studying and the remnants of the migrant workforce the industry association believes there will be enough people to fill the workforce. "Our aim is to ensure there is enough labour in the right location at the right time.
"Timely communication will be imperative to get the message to the workers, where the jobs are and where the future jobs will come up. To simplify this process DPIRD, through VegetablesWA and Grain Industry Association of WA (GIWA) have created a website and Facebook page that will communicate these opportunities to the workers.
"Our first suggestion is to do what you would normally do. If you advertise on Gumtree and get enough workers, then stick to that. If you do find have a shortage, then that is where we will be able to assist."
The process for assistance is as follows:
- Download and complete the template
- E-mail it to jobsinwa@outlook.com
- The jobs will then be separated into skilled workers or unskilled workers
- Skilled workers will be sought from the Studium platform, that allows a filtering process to ensure that the workers you get are qualified for what you need eg. Forklift tickets etc
- Unskilled workers will be selected based on their location, to avoid worker movement as much as possible
- In both 4 & 5 it will be up to the employer to contact the workers and make the arrangements, we do not have the facility to do this. If you are unable to do this then we suggest you contract a Labour Hire Company to do this on your behalf.
jobsinwafoodandag.com has been created as an Information Hub for employers and job seekers. VegetablesWA encourages you to set up a Studium profile and also regularly check this website for updates.
Jobseekers are very clearly told on the website not to travel to any regional or rural without first securing work and accommodation.
Melissa Denning, the Labour Scheme Facilitator, has been seconded to this project as a resource for the Horticulture sector. She is available on the usual channels if you require assistance.
For more information:
VegetablesWA
vegetableswa.com.au