FORUM TO INJECT LOCAL HORT AND AG BUSINESSES

Local horticulture and agriculture businesses are being invited to attend one of the biggest industry forums to be held in Gippsland to address skills shortages and training needs.

Education Centre Gippsland (ECG) which manages the McMillan campuses at Warragul and Leongatha is co-ordinating the forum to bring together representatives of government, agribusiness industries, local producers, training and apprenticeship providers with the view to injecting new skills into rural businesses.

ECG Forum Chair Bernadette O’Connor said continuing skills shortages are a significant challenge for rural industries nationally and across Gippsland with many businesses desperately seeking skilled workers at all levels.

“This forum is for employers from a range of industries including nursery owners, arborists, those involved in parks maintenance, landscaping, turf management, landcare contracting, farmers, production horticulturalists, agriculture contractors, stock agents, career advisors, employment consultants and more.

“It will provide a platform to discuss the issues and hear new training developments occurring in Gippsland including new opportunities for specialised and flexible industry training in the workplace so staff don’t have to leave the job.

“It will also provide detailed information about new government incentives to support employers to take on trainees, apprentices or to up-skill existing staff and how they can access that support,” Ms O’Connor said.

Head of Rural Studies at ECG McMillan Babis Lagos said the forum had gained sponsorship support from industry including Rural Skills Australia, Rowes Nursery and Arbor Spray.

“Industry feedback at a smaller forum held by ECG previously identified that while many businesses wanted more skilled staff or training for workers, they did not how to go about it, were largely unaware that training could be tailored to their business or that they could access subsidies or financial support through government programs.

“The forum will include an address by a key note speaker, as well as presentations by a range of local businesses that have developed innovative solutions to skills shortages in their industries. Training and apprenticeship providers will also provide presentations on training options.

“A panel of apprentices will relay their experiences to the forum. Business will also be walked through step-by-step in how to employ a trainee and how to get the support they need.

“We are inviting horticulture and agriculture businesses from across south and west Gippsland, the Latrobe Valley, and east Gippsland including Sale, Heyfield, Maffra and Bairnsdale to attend.

“It doesn’t matter whether a business employs two people or 100, this forum is an opportunity for employers to find out what’s in it for them and to inject new skills into their businesses,” he said.

The forum is free-of-charge and will be held at ECG McMillan campus at Warragul on Wednesday, May 6 2009 from 9.45am to 3pm.

RSVP by April 29 by phoning Lyn Butcher at ECG on 03 5662 6700.

Media Inquiries:

Bernadette O’Connor 5622 6000

Babis Lagos  5622 6000

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