Shining the spotlight on training needs – what growers are telling us

Workforce attraction gets plenty of airtime — but what happens after you get workers through the gate? For many growers, that’s where the real challenge starts. 

Grower conversations with Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) Officers across the state have a common theme: training matters. Not just the box-ticking or compliance stuff — but practical, on-farm training that helps keep workers longer and lifts productivity.  

Whether it’s team leadership, managing returning workers, or getting access to ticketed training, growers are asking for industry-specific support that fits into everyday operations. For that reason, training has been a strong focus across the state. 

It’s not about more training — it’s about the right kind. Growers have been clear: they want training that feels relevant, flexible, and practical. Training that doesn’t take workers off-farm for days at a time or feel too far removed from real operations. This has shaped much of the training support QAWN has been working to provide. 

In Moreton Bay, a grower-led push for business and leadership training led to strong uptake, particularly through supervisor training delivered for Queensland Berries. Building on that success, the same model is now being picked up in the Lockyer Valley, with upcoming training planned to support another agribusiness workforce development goals. 

QFVG’s Geared Up Horticulture initiative is also helping bridge the gap, with training currently rolling out across the state. These aren’t one-size-fits-all sessions — they’ve been built around real feedback from growers, and cover areas like safety, business systems, and HR/IR. It’s about giving growers access to practical tools and support that make sense on-farm. 

This sort of support doesn’t happen in isolation. Through SmartAg, partnerships with local training providers, and coordination across the QAWN regions, efforts are being made to make training easier to access, more targeted, and more useful. 

QAWN will keep backing what works. Whether it’s helping growers understand what training is already available, linking them with the right partners, or simply continuing the conversations that matter most — it’s all about supporting real solutions growers can use. 

To get in contact with your local QAWN Officer, visit: www.growcom.com.au/qawn