Agricultural
11 October, 2021
The Mulberry Project supported by new program
The non-profit The Mulberry Project, started in Nobby by Louise Noble, is among the recipients in the Queensland Government’s new Diverse Queensland Workforce program.
The $200,000 program intends to help migrants, refugees and international students who will be supported to find work in South West Queensland’s agricultural sector as part of the State Government’s Diverse Queensland Work-force program.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer made the announcement while visiting Crows Nest for the Darling Downs-South West Regional Community Forum.
Director of The Mulberry Project, Louise Noble, said programs like this made a real difference.
“Finding and holding a good job is an important step for migrants and refugees because it provides financial security, builds connections with their colleagues and the wider community, and builds self-confidence and motivation,” Ms Noble said.
“Coming out of Multi-cultural Queensland Month, which was held in August, it is great to see employers, industry, community groups and government creating new opportunities to follow this year’s theme: ‘inclusion in action’.”
Growcom Australia will be working with The Mulberry Project to deliver training, work experience, and placements for 80 participants.
The Diverse Queensland Workforce program and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are jointly funding the program to support producers who need skilled workers, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds who can grow into careers in the industry if given a start.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner, said that by providing training, work experience and employment opportunities the project will be a boost for local agricultural businesses.
“The program provides an excellent platform for industry to continue its leadership in addressing ongoing skilled labour shortages in the agriculture sector,” Mr Furner said.
Growcom Australia Chief Executive Officer Stephen Barnard said the program will be a great initiative for fruit, vegetable and nut growers to source local talent while creating sustainable, local and diverse employment opportunities.
“Growers have been hit for six - facing COVID border restrictions and subsequent workforce shortages and at a minimum this initiative will give those hard-hit businesses a chance to source workers locally.
“We will partner with The Mulberry Project - a non-profit organisation that works with migrants and refugees to gain employment - to administer training, work experience and placements for the participants.”
For further information about the program, visit here or call 1300 369 935.
