Training program puts growers’ needs in the driver’s seat

Skilled to Drive participants meet with funding partners, local member Jim McDonald, and the team at Western Trainers for the program launch.

The wheels are turning on the Skilled to Drive program that will see 10 Lockyer Valley locals trained, licenced, and farm-ready within 10 weeks.

Taking grower feedback about the need for a skilled and licenced labour force, Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) Officer for Southern Queensland, Liz Ford developed the curated training program with Crowley Vale-based Western Trainers.

Training leading to forklift and heavy rigid truck licences are the program’s headline items, with training in safely handling and securing cargo, workplace health and safety, and employability skills rounding out the course.

The Lockyer is home to motivated people seeking employment, but with margins and time tight for growers, and cost of living increases putting strain on locals’ household budgets, a solution was needed to get prime candidates trained and ready for these roles on farms.

Through a coordinated funding effort, Skilled to Drive has been funded through a Skilling Queenslanders for Work grant, as well as support from SmartAg Queensland, and QAWN.

With an enthusiastic community response, the 10 program places were quickly filled with a diversity of participants united by the same goal of attaining a skilled job in horticulture.

For instance, Laidley local, Katie has always been around farming and agriculture and is keen to re-enter the workforce in a hands-on role.

Meanwhile, Jacob is looking for a change of scenery. Having moved from the Gold Coast some years ago, he is looking to leave the retail sector.

He is interested in transportation jobs in agriculture as having previously tried harvesting, he found it took a toll on his tall frame.

As well as supporting growers and the participants, having local business Western Trainers deliver the program keeps business in the region and highlights how horticulture is interconnected with different parts of regional communities.

The immense benefit that training opportunities like Skilled to Drive present for the local community is evident in the support it received from government, industry and local business.

Liz Ford said that the collaborative effort between government and industry to bring Skilled to Drive to life shows the importance of responding to grower feedback to ensure horticulture’s diverse workforce needs are supported.

“To have the support to deliver this targeted training program and have participants take up jobs on-farm within a few short months of applying for Skilled to Drive is great to see,” Liz said.

“It’s all about delivering real, tangible results for growers and the community.”

We look forward to checking back in with Katie, Jacob, and the Skilled to Drive cohort as they progress on their horticulture journeys.

The Skilled to Drive Program is jointly supported by a Skilling Queenslanders for Work Grant, SmartAg Queensland, and the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN).