Program helping Queenslanders into good jobs in agriculture extended

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities The Honourable Mark Furner

Queensland’s Rural Jobs Initiatives, which support Queensland agribusiness to attract, train and retain workers for good jobs in agriculture, will be renewed for the next three years with Palaszczuk Government funding of $4.416 million.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the extension of the program would be welcome news to the agricultural sector, which requires an increasingly skilled workforce.

“With this funding, new agreements with industry partners can be negotiated in line with investment priorities to support the sector on a range of workforce matters and ensure future skills development pathways are considered for sustainable business operations,” Mr Furner said.

“Since 2016, Rural Jobs Initiatives – the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) and the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance (RSJA) – have assisted agribusinesses on more than 23,000 occasions, leading to over 12,000 good jobs supported and 8,000 training and education outcomes.”

The RJSA is coordinated by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and brings together multiple peak bodies including AgForce, CANEGROWERS, Growcom, Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland and Cotton Australia, to provide timely advice on current and emerging agricultural workforce needs.

QAWN officers are funded by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, hosted by industry/economic bodies located throughout the State, and deliver a free service to agribusinesses with operations in Queensland, regardless of commodity or organisation membership.

QAWN officers are hosted by:

  • FNQ Growers
  • Bowen Gumlu Growers Association
  • CANEGROWERS Mackay
  • CHRRUP
  • Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers
  • Growcom

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