Workforce: the power of place based
In horticulture, building a reliable and productive workforce remains a work in progress. A magic bullet that delivers the right number of skilled workers at the right time, in the right place remains but an elusive dream of industry.
QFVG has many opportunities every week to engage in these discussions across the state, and as such we are starting to unpack what works, and what doesn’t.
Without question, we can all agree on what doesn’t work in horticulture – and that would be a one size fits all approach! The idea of applying a universal strategy to the diverse and region-specific needs of the horticulture industry is, frankly, misguided. So, what is the answer to our workforce woes? From what we know, it’s more about what are the answers? Plural.
Place-based approaches are proving effective as they address workforce challenges locally, in harmony with the conditions and opportunities of each area.
Last week’s Everything Ag event is a prime example of this localised approach. Coordinated by QFVG’s QAWN Officer Amy Nash, with Queensland Government funding and support from the City of Moreton Bay, QFF, AgForce, FAN, and Workforce Australia, the event gathered students, job seekers, industry professionals, and community, to highlight agriculture’s critical role in local communities. It was a vibrant marketplace of ideas, opportunities, and connections.
Recent graduates offered real-world insights to prospective students that went beyond the usual career advice. They busted myths, shared personal experiences, and built new connections.
It wasn’t just students who benefitted—community members considering a career change also took advantage of this event, where they could meet growers and industry insiders.
The presence of organisations like UQ Skills and TAFE Queensland highlighted the crucial role of essential ongoing training and accreditation, ensuring that today’s workers and tomorrow’s workforce are ready to meet the agriculture industry’s evolving demands.
Everything Ag also attracted key industry players, including Queensland Berries and Perfection Fresh, demonstrating the event’s effectiveness in connecting the community with the agricultural sector—a sector that, despite its critical importance to our economy and food security, is often undervalued.
Local Government support was evident as the City of Moreton Bay highlighted agriculture’s deep ties to its various programs, from biosecurity to community development. Such alignment between local government and agriculture is vital for successful place-based approaches and our sector’s ongoing footprint and sustainability.
Everything Ag is but one example of how regions are embracing workforce solutions as their own problem to solve. These events are essential for ensuring horticulture’s continued growth and sustainability in each of our growing regions. We are an industry that remains the backbone of our local communities.
