A pilot program commencing during the 2019 Christmas holiday season aims to identify employment opportunities as paid holiday placements and provide on-the-job training for students looking at the industry as a career option. Students participating in the pilot will be treated as a standard employee, with the exception that placements will only take place during gazetted school holidays.
The program, developed as a partnership between Bundaberg Canegrowers, Bundaberg Christian College and the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN), will provide opportunities for employers that are pro-actively looking to engage with the youth. Students will be supported by the school, Bundaberg Canegrowers and the Wide-Bay QAWN Officer throughout the program so that any other opportunities that may be identified can be nurtured in preparation for their post-school employment.
Currently in the planning phase, the pilot program has four businesses committed to hosting one or more students and discussions are underway in terms of what, if any, accredited training would better prepare students for working on-farm in addition to preparing their pre-employment requirements such as banking, super and tax arrangements etc.
Students will apply for the opportunity to participate in the work pilot and before being accepted into the program will undergo a screening and interview process by the prospective employer. It is hoped that students may be rotated and placed with more than one host employer throughout the school year, and so a calendar has been created in order that placements can be tracked more efficiently.
For more information about employment and training opportunities, contact Kylie on 0488 533 801 or kylie.jackson@bfvg.com.au.