A newcampaign to help attract local workers to NT farms for this years mango pickingseason has received a $25,000 boost from the Territory Labor Government.
TheSweetest Job campaign is a partnership between multiple agencies and advocacygroups to help Territory farmers fill the 2500 positions on offer during theeight week annual picking season in October and November.
TheNorthern Territory produces nearly half of Australias mangoes. The industry isthe NTs largest horticultural sector, contributing $88 million to the economyannually.
Thepositions are mainly located on farms in the Katherine and Litchfield areas.
Backpackershave traditionally filled the seasonal roles, which offer significant financialrewards in a short space of time.
But seasonalfruit growers across the country who rely on casual labour have been among thehardest hit by this years Federal Government introduction of a backpacker tax.
TheSweetest Job campaign is a partnership between the Territory GovernmentsWorkforce NT, Regional Development Australia Northern Territory, the NT FarmersAssociation, and Litchfield Council.
Formore information go to thesweetestjob.com.au
Quotes attributable to Minister forWorkforce Training Selena Uibo.
TheTerritory Labor Governments number one priority is jobs.
Thiscampaign will help raise awareness of the employment opportunities for localsin the seasonal horticultural sector, which can be a pathway to ongoing, stableemployment in the sector.
Quote attributable to RDA Chief ExecutiveKate Peake.
Theaim of this campaign is to gain a returning workforce of local employees, toreduce re-training costs and drive job creation within the local economy.
Quotes attributable to NT FarmersPresident, Simon Smith.
Gettingtemporary workers to harvest mangoes can be difficult. The Sweetest Jobcampaign offers growers the chance to build a returning workforce of localresidents that will not only benefit our industry but also the communities inthe region by opening up opportunities for those who may not have consideredour industry for work previously.
