The Sweetest Job

Implementation

A collaborative alliance was formed to develop a local recruitment initiative, with a campaign to attract and engage job seekers on strawberry farms within the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regions. The initiative involved a comprehensive social media campaign to raise local awareness, and encourage them to register their interest to attend information sessions. A workforce intermediary coordinated recruitment and placement activities. Following the success of the initial campaign, State Government funding was secured to deliver a Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) program. This enabled the initiative to be extended to include accredited training and job readiness support for disadvantaged job seekers. In addition, job placements were broadened to include the wider agribusiness sector within the region.

Organisational strategies

• Farm employers educated team supervisors about local employment goals and involved them in the induction process.

Partnership strategies

• A collaborative partnership was formed to maximise outcomes and reduce the burden of recruitment cost, time and resourcing on individual farmers.
• Regular meetings enabled project partners to fine tune the program when necessary.
• Project partners leveraged Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast Councils’ media expertise and networks to maximise publicity.
• Links were made with local community groups and jobactive providers to leverage their connections to local job seekers of all ages and backgrounds.
• Partnerships were formed with local training providers to deliver agribusiness qualifications.

Program design strategies

• A multi-faceted social media campaign promoted the availability of local jobs on strawberry farms. Interested job seekers were required to complete an online registration form.
• Information sessions promoted the jobs available and provided an overview of agriculture work.
• A workforce intermediary undertook end-to-end recruitment services using project funding.
• The project focused on assisting disadvantaged local job seekers, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse job seekers, mature-aged job seekers, under-employed workers, and women wanting to re-enter the workforce. Comprehensive wraparound support was provided to help overcome employment challenges.
• Training cohorts were formed for specific qualifications.
• Work experience placements exposed candidates to jobs and employers to candidates.