INDUSTRY NEWS
Promoting almond careers
IN recent months the Almond Board of Australia has been out highlighting the wide variety of employment opportunities that are available in our industry. The Approaching Ag Careers Fair at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga was held in late July. Around 300 students participated the event, with many looking for graduate roles and work placement opportunities. Australian Farming Services’ Human Resources Manager Lee McNab and Murray Downs Almonds’ Packing Manager Alex Voutier supported the ABA stall, providing valuable firsthand knowledge about the industry to students. While many of the stalls focused on livestock and cropping career paths, the almond industry was also represented by GO. FARM, Australian Food and Fibre( formerly Kooba Ag) and Yenda Producers. Last month the Adelaide University Agricultural Students Association staged Growing the Future. The event at the Adelaide Convention Centre was attended by 240 people. ABA Chairman Alan Hoppe talked to students about his career in agriculture and encouraged many
University of Adelaide students enter the ABA’ s competition at Growing the Future.
students who were uncertain about their plans post university to consider working in the almond industry.“ No one should whinge that they can’ t find good staff if they are not prepared to spend time and resources educating and informing prospective employees about their business or their industry,” he said.“ We will be talking more with our industry stakeholders about other things the industry can do to keep young people up to date with advances and opportunities.”
ABOVE: ABA communications manager Kellie Hollingworth and chairman Alan Hoppe at Growing the Future.
LEFT: ABA chairman Alan Hoppe speaks to Nathan Rokebrand about careers in the Almond Industry at Growing the Future.
industry. australianalmonds. com. au
23