Graduate Projects

Increase Access to Pickers During Harvest: 2005

Project:
Increase the pool of fruit pickers during harvest.

Project Leader:
Grant King, Manager, Kangara Foods, South Australia

Aim:
Identify picker shortages in the region and identify a solution.

Background:
Labour shortages are a perennial problem for farming areas and hence this project too a proactive approach to trial a method that would overcome the problem.

Approach:

• Consult with fruit pickers to identify what makes a good place to work.
• Explore ways to promote my enterprise and the region to encourage pickers to
  come for the harvest.
• Work with Mildura and District Economic Corporation to understand the current
  promotional activities used to attract labour for the harvest.
• Consult with University students about how to promote work opportunities
  during University holidays.
• Promote specific opportunities at Kangara.

Challenges:

• Lack of confidence to form partnerships with external stakeholders.
• Working with the media to further the promotion of employment opportunities.

Outcomes:

• Media used to heighten the profile of Kangara.
• Pickers approached to take up employment opportunities.