Author: Liam Palmer

A Growing Force in the Field

Historically the Australian agricultural workforce has been one predominately male, with women playing critical, yet often ‘behind the scenes’ roles. In earlier times, women were usually in unpaid work – dedicating their time and support towards the family farm or volunteering in various ways to help their local businesses and communities.

However, over the last decade there has been a significant rise in the number of women becoming more visible in paid jobs across the agriculture employment landscape. This is an exciting and much welcome change to the industry and of particular interest to the Agri Labour Australia recruitment teams.

From fruit picking and cotton ginning to poultry and piggery attendants, women are now employed across all areas of agriculture. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women have also been outnumbering men in agriculture degree enrolments at universities since 2016.

With the agriculture skills shortage an ongoing problem and the lack of succession planning across an aging workforce becoming more prevalent, Casey Brown Director, Agri Labour Australia believes that having more women in agriculture is exactly what the industry needs to start addressing these longer term issues.

‘The scarcity of good quality staff has definitely forced businesses to open their views on employing females which is really positive. Women have outperformed and proven themselves to be of huge benefit to agriculture businesses and it is this that’s helped pave the way for that much needed change in perception across the industry.

Casey also adds, ‘Women are great communicators and offer a great deal of improvement around reliability with coming to work. Based on the constant feedback we receive from employers and our internal workforce management data; we know that safety statistics improve significantly when women are on the job. When it comes to machine operating, women take less risks, can have greater attention to detail and take more care when it comes to handling the machines – this has seen a growing trend in a preference for females filling certain roles.

Our statistics (Table 1) show a clear trajectory of growth relating to women working in agriculture. With females representing 30% of Australia’s farmers and farm managers, we are going to be seeing a lot more women in leadership and industry leading roles in the very near future, said Casey.

Historically the Australian agricultural workforce has been one predominately male, with women playing critical, yet often ‘behind the scenes’ roles. In earlier times, women were usually in unpaid work – dedicating their time and support towards the family farm or volunteering in various ways to help their local businesses and communities.

However, over the last decade there has been a significant rise in the number of women becoming more visible in paid jobs across the agriculture employment landscape. This is an exciting and much welcome change to the industry and of particular interest to the Agri Labour Australia recruitment teams.

From fruit picking and cotton ginning to poultry and piggery attendants, women are now employed across all areas of agriculture. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women have also been outnumbering men in agriculture degree enrolments at universities since 2016.

With the agriculture skills shortage an ongoing problem and the lack of succession planning across an aging workforce becoming more prevalent, Casey Brown Director, Agri Labour Australia believes that having more women in agriculture is exactly what the industry needs to start addressing these longer term issues.

‘The scarcity of good quality staff has definitely forced businesses to open their views on employing females which is really positive. Women have outperformed and proven themselves to be of huge benefit to agriculture businesses and it is this that’s helped pave the way for that much needed change in perception across the industry.

Casey also adds, ‘Women are great communicators and offer a great deal of improvement around reliability with coming to work. Based on the constant feedback we receive from employers and our internal workforce management data; we know that safety statistics improve significantly when women are on the job. When it comes to machine operating, women take less risks, can have greater attention to detail and take more care when it comes to handling the machines – this has seen a growing trend in a preference for females filling certain roles.

Our statistics (Table 1) show a clear trajectory of growth relating to women working in agriculture. With females representing 30% of Australia’s farmers and farm managers, we are going to be seeing a lot more women in leadership and industry leading roles in the very near future, said Casey.

After some smaller cases were identified earlier in the year, the outbreak of African Swine flu in China has now spread to over 55 countries across three continents. This particularly virulent strain has seen over 2 million pigs destroyed across China and Vietnam with numbers set to rise as the disease continues to be spread by migrating wild pig populations and humans moving contaminated pork products.

As the world’s largest consumer of pork and home to 440 million pigs (half the world’s entire pig population), the effect on China’s pork industry is set to be catastrophic.

While not dangerous to humans, the disease is one that Australian authorities are desperate to keep out of the country. Casey Brown, Managing Director of Agri Labour Australia says, ‘This is a tragic event that is going to have an ongoing effect for many years to come. While pork prices are yet to reflect what’s happening in China and Vietnam as they are still able to draw on their frozen stocks, the world is most definitely going to see significant changes in the pork industry.’

‘The Australian pork industry has experienced challenging times due to the large quantities of cheap pork being imported from Asia. With Australia’s strict biosecurity measures in place, these imports will be significantly reduced which should see an increase in demand for local pork across the domestic and export markets,’ said Casey.

Casey adds, ‘There’s also going to be a further demand and potential expansion opportunities for the beef and poultry industries in Australia as China seeks to source alternative meat to fill the consumer requirements of their country.

With Australia well known for its high quality meat and dedication to animal welfare standards, it will be great to see our country’s pork producers increase their production to fill those imminent supply gaps. Not only will this boost the profile of the Australian pork industry, it will also create additional jobs and help stimulate local industry.’

This month’s ‘Candidate Conversation’ is with Siti Nur Ashikin Saad. Siti is a Malaysian national who has been in Australia and working with Agri Labour Australia (ALA) for just over twelve months.

Our recruitment team identified Siti as a great candidate for her flexibility and great attitude when it comes to roles. Not afraid of hard work, Siti has proven herself as a reliable, happy and positive staff member who gets the job done with no complaints!

From Tasmania and NSW, then up to North Queensland for the mango season, Siti was doing quality control for our citrus client in South Australia when we got talking to her about what she loves most about living and working in regional Australia.

What’s the best part about your job?

I have made so many new friends from lots of different countries. I get to know about their cultures and learn their languages. I have also learned a lot about how important organisation and communication are at work. Travelling and working in different places in Australia is also great.

What is the most challenging part of your work?

For me, learning the new role and the skills I need to do my best and keep up the pace – making sure everything is of the best quality, weight is correct etc. Travelling around for each job can sometimes be a little challenging.

What are you career goals?

I like to multitask! I would like to know much more, work more and plan to keep learning a new role for every job in the future. I’d also like to become a supervisor and lead teams.

What has been your favourite job since being with ALA?

Cutting asparagus in Cowra has been my favourite so far – it was physically challenging, and I wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to do it, but I did!

How has ALA helped you while you’ve been working in Australia?

ALA has really helped me to grow in different ways. My confidence has grown and ALA have assisted me in gaining skills and learning so much in a short time. Before I started with ALA, I was shy but now I am more social and can communicate with people freely.

Where to from here?

I plan on doing what I can to stay in Australia! For now I will be heading back to Tasmania to do vegetable sorting and packing.

Favourite place in Australia and why?

Penguin in Tasmania. It’s a super stunning place, the people are lovely, it’s a great work environment and the company I was working for is super systematic with a good supervisor. That’s why I’m going back!

Earlier this year, the poultry industry was put on high alert after a rare strain of salmonella was found on three farms in NSW. The outbreak affected properties across NSW and Victoria, resulting in the destruction of thousands of eggs and laying chickens.

These outbreaks are not only fraught with huge financial and emotional impacts on farmers but also have a catastrophic effect on the industry. The extent of such impact was seen in 1999 following an outbreak of Newcastle Disease resulting in the slaughter of almost two million chickens across the NSW Central Coast and taking a further ten years to recover.

Working closely to provide our poultry clients with staffing solutions over the last decade has provided Agri Labour Australia (ALA) with a firsthand knowledge of the biosecurity processes necessary to maintain the safest and healthiest industry standards possible.

Casey Brown, Managing Director of Agri Labour Australia says ‘Absolutely everyone in the poultry industry needs to be aware how far reaching and significant these disease outbreaks can be. ALA works with both large and small egg producers around the country, and regardless of the size of the farm, the biosecurity measures must be the same in order to protect the industry as a whole.’

Constantly working in partnership with our clients and with a view to supporting the poultry industry, ALA has invested in developing a documented biosecurity standard for workers. The document is aligned with the strict requirements and processes in place for all poultry farms across the country and forms an integral part of the orientation procedure for ALA poultry workers.

Casey continues ‘We also recognise that our training processes need to be more than reading and signing a document. To better engage and inform our workers, we are developing an animated biosecurity training video that provides a more holistic understanding of the procedures, dangers and legislation.

By incorporating these biosecurity requirements and going above and beyond in our recruitment processes, ALA clients should feel confident that we are equipping workers with the knowledge they need to do their part in protecting their organisation and the poultry industry.’

For more information on how Agri Labour Australia can solve your poultry recruitment needs, visit www.agrilabour.com.au or phone 1300 247 823

As Australia’s leading agriculture recruitment agency, Agri Labour Australia are always at the forefront of industry trends and changes. Working closely with our clients to assist them in sourcing the right candidates provides us with firsthand knowledge into high demand skill and qualification areas.

One role consistently in high demand is that of licenced forklift operators. Forklift operators are sought after across a wide range of industries and it’s also a role that can provide interesting job diversity with other duties often making up the full position.

With this skill in much demand, candidates with forklift licences have a great deal of choice and variety when it comes to choosing job types, pay rates and locations.

What does a forklift operator do?

• operating controls to align forklifts and raise and lower forks to stack and unstack items in warehouses, factories, timber yards and shipping terminals
• operating forklifts which run on rails or use electronic guidance systems to control movements in narrow aisles
• loading and unloading trucks with bins or pallets of stock
• transporting goods to designated areas in warehouses and factories
• ensuring goods are stored in correct areas so that they can be easily located when orders are made up
• monitoring equipment operation visually through gauges and instruments and through computerised monitoring equipment
• inspecting and controlling equipment to identify wear and damage
• servicing and performing minor repairs and adjustments to forklifts
• may operate specialised trucks to carry items beneath elevated frames

How much can I earn?

Forklift operators can expect to earn (on average) $25-$30/hour, however many operators can earn higher rates with overtime and leave loading available with some organisations.

How do I get my forklift licence?

To be eligible to apply you must be at least 18 years of age, have a basic understanding of English and be able to follow directions. You will also need to provide 100 points of identification – passport, driver’s licence, birth certificate, address.

You must obtain your training and licence from a Registered Training Provider (RTO). There are two classes of forklift licences:

1. LF – Forklift equipped with a mast and an elevating load carriage with a pair of fork arms or other attachment
2. LO – an order picking forklift truck where the operator’s control elevates with the load carriage/lifting media

How long does it take to get a forklift licence?

Most forklift courses are competency based meaning you need to undertake enough hours in order to be able to show you can effectively operate the machine. Each student has different abilities therefore the time taken to become certified can vary but most courses take around two days and cost approximately $400-$600.

For more information and to apply for one of our great jobs, visit the Agri Labour Australia job board or call 1300 247 823

Agri Labour Australia (ALA) are proud exhibitors at the 2019 Australian Summer Grains Conference (ASGC), held from 8 – 10 July at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

This major industry event is showcasing a range of speakers from Australia and the United States – giving insight into business trends, global population growth, crop management, agronomy and the critical need for the agriculture industry to keep up with the demand for skills and technologies. Our very own Managing Director, Casey Brown is also a guest speaker at the student forum. Casey will be sharing his knowledge about the agriculture industry, all things recruitment and providing insight into agribusinesses running key programs for graduates.

As Australia’s leading specialist in recruiting for broadacre farming labourers and storage and handling labourers, ALA has placed over 1600 staff into broadacre related roles. Results focused and client centric, our team consistently brings innovative solutions to core staffing challenges in agriculture and is excited to be catching up with some of our existing clients and ready to make new contacts during the conference.

Come and visit us at Stand 24!

To talk to us about your workforce and recruitment needs contact Agri Labour Australia today on 1300 247 823

This week I’d like to delve a little further into the HR processes that need to be in place for when your new team member joins the business. It’s absolutely critical for you to be organised and prepared with all the relevant documentation, tools, desk space, internal communications and allocated time required to orientate them on their first day.

Well Written Job Descriptions & Success Profiles 

Clearly articulating from the very beginning exactly what the role comprises, and the expected outcomes is critical when you are focused on engaging to retain the right staff.

These should include the key responsibilities of the position and the metrics required to achieve the expected results. Having a well written job description and success profile allows the potential candidate to be fully apprised about the role and outcomes you are looking for.

Success profiles identify the specific knowledge, skills, experience, behavioural competencies and personal attributes required to succeed in the position. Success profiles and job descriptions both assist with the performance review process – allowing you to provide effective feedback for positive reinforcement or to address performance issues.

As a specialist recruitment agency, Agri Labour Australia works closely with our clients to develop job descriptions and success profiles tailored specifically to the roles they are advertising for.

Employment Contracts

Employment contracts are an essential element for staff and employers that set out the legal rights, responsibilities and obligations of a working relationship.

These contracts assist in mitigating issues such as theft, copyright and unfair dismissal and provide a clear understanding of what is expected from each party.

Have your contracts prepared in alignment with your company policies and the job description/success profile prior to interview so you are fully prepared when engaging your new staff.

Onboarding

Now that you’ve chosen your new staff member, it’s critical that you are fully prepared for their first day. Here’s my tips on making their start to work a smooth one:

• Make sure you properly introduce them to each member of your team
• Partner them with a team member who can provide them with helpful information and who has a positive view of the business
• Have their workspace ready – desk, tools, workshop
• Be prepared with all the essential forms for pay, taxation, superannuation etc
• Check in with them yourself during the day and if possible, take them out for a coffee or lunch to gauge how they are feeling
• Have a well thought out training plan that goes beyond their first day. This not only provides the new staff member with confidence but provides a platform for them to get up to speed and learn their job faster.

 

Want to know more? Tim Chapman, General Manager (Technical), is a highly skilled recruiter and manager with an extensive agricultural sector network. Equipped with over six years’ industry experience, Tim is responsible for the end-to end recruitment process of all permanent positions and client management and managing our high performing technical recruitment team specialising in agriculture and all supporting industries. Get in touch with Tim on 0499 184 555 or [email protected].

End of Financial Year (EOFY) is just around the corner and marks the end of another successful year for Agri Labour Australia delivering specialist recruitment solutions to the agriculture industry. It’s also when ALA’s hard working finance team are usually busy producing and issuing candidates with Payment Summaries.

In 2018, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) announced a new tax reporting system called ‘Single Touch Payroll’ – a new and simplified way for employers to report employees’ tax and superannuation information to the ATO.

The new system sees employers report each pay run to the ATO immediately after it’s been processed and contains the same information that employees and candidates see on their payslips including; gross, net, tax withheld, deductions and superannuation.

What does this mean for you?

Streamlined and efficient, the new system means that you can access your income statement (which can also be known as a Payment Summary or Group Certificate) through your MyGov account at any time.

To access your income statement, make sure you’ve registered for a MyGov account with your email address, link it to the ATO online services and then follow these simple instructions:

1. Log in to MyGov using your email address or mobile phone number.
2. Select ATO online services.
3. Click on My profile at the top of the screen.
4. Select My employment and then Income statement

How does Single Touch Payroll help me?

Each time you are paid, your year to date tax and super information will be updated in MyGov and you’ll be able to see how much you’ve been paid since the start of the financial year.

The system will also provide you with a notification to your MyGov inbox when your income statement is ‘tax ready’ and able to be processed by a registered tax agent. Simple!

For more information visit the ATO website and take a look at the information for employees.