The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network
The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) was an industry-led rural jobs initiative funded by the Queensland Government, which was delivered in the Wide Bay Burnett, Gladstone and Banana regions by Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG). The program formally concluded on 30 June 2026.
Throughout its delivery, BFVG worked closely with a broad network of industry service providers, training organisations, schools and community partners to support employers with recruitment and workforce development needs. The program focused on strengthening workforce capability in the agricultural sector by improving access to employment pathways, training opportunities and workforce planning support.
A key focus of the initiative was working directly with employers to understand their workforce requirements and connect them with practical solutions to support business growth. This included providing advice on employment options, wage subsidies and funding opportunities, as well as facilitating connections with local recruitment agencies and Registered Training Organisations to address identified skills gaps.
Over the life of the program, several targeted initiatives delivered measurable outcomes for the region. These included strengthening collaboration between industry and training providers through the facilitation of the Bundaberg Agriculture Training Group (BATG), which helped align training delivery more closely with workforce needs. The program also supported the development of more structured school-based and pre-employment pathways into agriculture, improving access to entry-level employment opportunities for young people and job seekers.
Additional initiatives included the design and delivery of employer engagement activities such as AgProspects, which connected job seekers with agricultural career pathways, and supported businesses in accessing workforce funding programs and subsidies. The program also contributed to addressing regional training capacity challenges by improving engagement between employers and Registered Training Organisations, helping to ensure training delivery reflected current industry practice and demand.
BFVG’s Agriculture Workforce Officer, Kylie Jackson, worked closely with local and external training organisations, schools and community stakeholders to ensure workforce needs were identified and addressed throughout the region. Her role supported stronger alignment between industry, training and employment services, contributing to improved workforce outcomes and more sustainable employment pathways within the agricultural sector.
In the Media
Resources
Work Health and Safety Resources
Psychological Health for Small Business [Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ)]
WHSQ have developed a communication kit to help you understand the Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice and access helpful resources in one easy location!
Young Worker Safety Toolkit [Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ)]
WHSQ have developed a young worker safety toolkit that is suitable to guide all managers, supervisors, leaders and mentors on how to take action to support young worker safety.
Or access online HERE
Rural plant Code of Practice 2024 [Work safe QLD]
Following public consultation, the Rural plant Code of Practice 2024 (PDF, 1.73 MB) (the Code) commenced as an approved code of practice under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 on 23 September 2024
Short Courses
Short micro-credential courses available to support employers to recruit and retain their employees
The Communicating effectively with people with disability course focuses on providing small businesses with the context and practical information required to establish and maintain effective communication tailored to the diverse needs of people with disability in the workforce.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the diversity of people with disability.
- Understand the importance and benefits of an inclusive work environment.
- Use strategies to enhance communication with people with disabilities in the workplace.
- Access a range of supports for communicating with people with disabilities in the workplace.
The Cultural inclusiveness: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the workplace course provides employers with the necessary context, practical skills, and knowledge to foster effective communication strategies to support positive working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the significance of cultural identity.
- Understanding the impacts of historical events and policies on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers in current time.
- Use of culturally sensitive communication strategies for the workplace.
- Use of consultation to improve culturally appropriate communication.
The Recruitment for small business course focuses on providing small businesses with knowledge and practical information to enable efficient workforce planning, and lawful, effective recruitment.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the importance of workforce planning and how to resource it.
- Understanding role types and rights and obligations for employment contracts including probationary periods.
- Using the recruitment cycle including best practice recruitment, selection and induction.
- Accessing a range of supports for workforce planning and development.
The Cultural responsiveness: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in the workplace course focuses on providing employers with the context and knowledge required to explore and respond to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and cultural needs in workplaces.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the components and benefits of cultural diversity in the workplace.
- Understanding cultural differences.
- Understanding bias and cultural safety.
- Building cultural responsiveness in the workplace.
The Effective workplace leadership course is designed to provide employers with a clear understanding of a range of different styles of leadership and the skills and knowledge that can be used to enhance and define their own leadership style.
Participants will learn about how to apply the different styles of leadership when leading your team. Tips and tools will be provided to enable skills and knowledge developed throughout the course and can be applied in a range of contexts.
Learning Outcomes
- Leadership as a concept.
- The different styles of leadership.
- How to build own leadership skills.
- Practical tools and tips for effective leadership.
The Workplace resilience and wellbeing course provides small business owners and other leaders with the necessary skills to build resilience and wellbeing skills in themselves and in others in the workplace.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the different types and importance of resilience.
- Using strategies to build resilience in yourself and others.
- Using resilience planning to build resilience and wellbeing in the workplace.
- Identify the steps involved in resilience planning.
- Understanding the importance of resilience and wellbeing training and support for the workplace.
Traineeships and Apprenticeships
Traineeships and Apprenticeships that include one of the below qualifications may attract a training and employment subsidy.
- ACM30921 Certificate III in Equine Hoof Care
- ACM40818 Certificate IV in Farriery
- AHC30620 Certificate III in Production Horticulture
- AHC30716 Certificate III in Horticulture
- AHC30820 Certificate III in Arboriculture
- AHC30921 Certificate III in Landscape Construction
- AHC31021 Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
- AHC31120 Certificate III in Nursery Operations
- AHC31319 Certificate III in Sports Turf Management
- AHC32916 Certificate III in Shearing
- AHC33719 Certificate III in Protected Horticulture
- AHC33816 Certificate III in Permaculture
- AHC40219 Certificate IV in Protected Horticulture
- AHC40620 Certificate IV in Nursery Operations
- AHC42021 Certificate IV in Landscape Construction Management
- AHC50416 Diploma of Horticulture
- AHC50520 Diploma of Arboriculture
- AHC50621 Diploma of Landscape Design
- AHC50820 Diploma of Nursery Management
- AHC51019 Diploma of Sports Turf Management
- AHC52021 Diploma of Landscape Construction Management
- AHC60216 Advanced Diploma of Horticulture
- AHC60520 Advanced Diploma of Arboriculture
- FWP30121 Certificate III in Forest Operations
- FWP30920 Certificate III in Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture
- FWP31121 Certificate III in Wood Machining
- FWP50121 Diploma of Forest Operations
To find out more about Australian Apprenticeships (including Traineeships) download the guide below
Grow Your Own | Food and Beverage Manufacuturing
Wide Bay Food and Beverage Manfacturing Workforce Development Plan
In 2022, the Queensland Government launched the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032 (QWS)1 to foster the state’s growth and economic prospects while addressing present and future workforce needs. This strategy highlights the importance of collaboration and partnerships in assisting industries and communities across Queensland to cultivate skilled and flexible workforces. The ‘Grow Your Own’ (GYO) Regional Workforce Program, part of the local solutions focus area of the QWS, seeks to empower local stakeholders and industry leaders to pinpoint workforce requirements and drive regional workforce initiatives. The GYO program facilitates identifying the necessary skills to fulfil industry demands and support regional economic objectives.
Download the plan
Wide Bay Burnett Food & Beverage Manaufacturing environmental scan
This Wide Bay food and beverage manufacturing industry environmental scan provides an historical and in-time point
of reference to support industry consultation activities for the development of an industry-endorsed workforce plan.
Food and beverage manufacturing covers businesses undertaking various stages of processing to transform
agricultural produce into food and drink products. This includes processes ranging from basic preparation, preservation
and packaging of raw ingredients, through to elaborately transformed foods and beverages. However, food and
beverage manufacturing excludes food service retailing businesses and unprocessed food commodities
Case Studies
Haul Out Essentials
This initiative was a collaboration with Bundaberg Canegrowers, Canegrowers ISIS and Canegrowers Maryborough to upskill potential workers for the Haul Out season.
Are you looking for workers?
Are you looking for workers commenced in 2020 at the peak of COVID-19 to link regional producers and jobseekers to employment opportunities
AgProspects Holiday Harvest Jobs Program
The Holiday Harvest Jobs Program provides a holistic framework for students to link with the Agriculture industry while moving into employment and career opportunities.
Skilling Queensland Agriculture
In partnership with regional training organisations Agri-businesses participate in essential training and skills upgrades.
AgProspects Pre-Employment Program
Modelled on the principals of Skilling Queenslanders for work, participants undertake a combination of Accredited and Non-Accredited training and work experience to increase employability, skills and knowledge.
Media Article | 21st May 2023
Video | 25th September 2020
Student Tip!
[Source: School Holiday Job Program]
Video | 4th August 2019
Your Career in Agriculture
[Video Credit: Queensland Farmers Federation]
Media Interview | 28th August 2017
Backpackers vs Local workers in Seasonal Work.
[Video Snippet Credit: ABC News]
Media Interview | 5th July 2017
Seasonal Work Incentive Trial
[Video Snippet Credit: 7News Wide Bay]
Newsmail Article | Wednesday 2nd September 2020
FAIR GO: Call for flexible job programs to grow ag industry
While there are plenty of employment pograms and subsidies on offer, the nature of agriculture industry typically means they miss out.
Newsmail Article | Tuesday 25th August 2020
Popular workshops for primary producers return to Bundaberg
Primary producers in the Bundaberg region are invited to a free Workplace Essentials workshop to be held 9 September.