Holiday Harvest Jobs Program
The Holiday Harvest Jobs Program is one tool in the AgProspects workfore suite, developed in collaboration with Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Bundaberg Canegrowers, regional Horticulture employers and local State Schools.
The program is designed to provide students with skills and experience in applying for jobs and participating in job interviews.
The positions are essentially created by regional employers during the School Holidays and are only offered if the employer has the ability to provide work for the students. Placements can be from 1 week through to the entire duration of the School Holidays.
Students are afforded the same conditions as a usual casual employee, however opportunities may arise where they are provided with additional on the job training in other aspects of the farming enterprise.
It is an exciting opportunity for the regions young people and through this program we hope to build an excited, knowledgable and versatile workforce leading into the future.
If you are an employer who would like to be involved please contact us to be added as a possible host for future holiday periods.
Kylie Jackson (Agriculture Workforce Officer)
Phone BFVG Office: (07) 4153 3007
Mobile: 0488 533 801
Email: kylie.jackson@bfvg.com.au
Media Gallery
Media Release
Audio | 9th May 2023
[Audio Credit: 3AW Melbourne]
Holiday Harvest Program hits Victorian airwaves
Media Article | 21st May 2023
Media Interview | 8th May 2023
Holiday Harvest Jobs Program
The average age of an Australian farmer is 58, but it is becoming more common to spot teenagers working on farms as the sector tries to boost its ageing workforce.
Key points:
- A program in one of Queensland’s key food bowl regions is bringing more young people into the agricultural industry
- Teenager Cody Muller says he is thriving in his on-farm training and wants to pursue a career in agriculture
- Cody’s boss says it is vital to invest in future farmers and that the program is bringing “fresh blood” to the industry
Cody Muller, 17, from Queensland’s Wide Bay is one of them.
He has been part of the opening cohort in Queensland’s first program to introduce students to careers in agriculture during the school holidays.
The Holiday Harvest Jobs Program was established after the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers noticed the gap in the region’s youth entering agricultural employment.
Bundaberg Agricultural businesses could soon see changes in the emerging workforce | February 2020
A pilot program co-developed with Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (Wide Bay & surrounds) and Bundaberg Canegrowers saw three students from Bundaberg Christian college embark on the first set of Paid Holiday Placements this January.
The next best thing to a Trade College | August 2019
Amid growing concerns that the Industry is aging, it is often difficult and time consuming to work out who (potential workers) can meet the needs of individual businesses.
Agriculture Paid Holiday Placements | July 2019
Amid growing concerns that the Industry is aging, it is often difficult and time consuming to work out who (potential workers) can meet the needs of individual businesses.
Testimonals
Adam had a great time out at Abbotsleigh and had a wonderful time with the opportunities he got to experience in so many aspects of the industry. He has since secured a job at IGA which would prevent him taking up the Harvest Jobs program again. However, he earned enough money to complete the purchase of his first trail bike and seemed to mature overnight in the workplace. He was full of praise for his employers and fellow workers who were so patient and helpful as he learned the ropes.
Karyn Goodman, Head of Department, Science and Senior Agricultural Science, Gin Gin State High School
The Students have been great, following the September Holidays, the 3 students I had working for me continued working on Saturday’s and I have been able to get more students working as well. The kids seem to have a great time as they compete with each other on who can pick the most. The program really helped me out of a bind during COVID-19 but I will continue this iniative to encourage more kids to consider taking up farm jobs.
Potato Farmer, Bundaberg