Researchers from RIRG and DEDJTR’s Social Research Group worked with industry stakeholders including Fruit Growers Victoria, Apple and Pear Australia Limited, Summerfruit Australia and employers to understand changing skilled workforce needs and how collaborative action can assist the industry to attract, retain and develop the workforce it needs.
Description of collaboration and engaged research: Phase 1 (2016-17) involved research with employers to understand workforce structure, job design, and recruitment approaches for fruit businesses of different sizes, along the value chain. Following consideration of Phase 1 findings by an industry working group, Phase 2 will involve research with employees on career pathways, and employment experiences and expectations.
Impact and value: Our Phase 1 report – Understanding Skilled Workforce Needs in the Goulburn Valley Fruit Industry – was a key resource for the Goulburn Murray Skilled Workforce Solutions for Horticulture Industry Committee in developing their Horticulture Skilled Workforce Development Action Plan, which underpins a proposal for a 2-year workforce development initiative, submitted to Regional Development Victoria’s Regional Jobs Fund. Phase 1 also identified interest from employers in developing career path visibility for university graduates. A 2017 Melbourne Engagement Grant investigated opportunities for student engagement in the industry, leading to four FVAS students completing summer internships as orchard management assistants.
Funded by the Innovation Seed Fund for Horticulture Development (joint initiative of the University of Melbourne and the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources
Dr Michael Santhanam-Martin
mpmartin@unimelb.edu.au
10 Jan 2021