Hot News

RSA & Sunbeam team up to back farm apprentices

RURAL Skills Australia (RSA) is partnering with Sunbeam to support Australian apprentices under Sunbeam’s new Future Farmers Program. The program supports Australian farmers by encouraging young people to take up full-time, part-time or school-based Certificate II Production Horticulture Apprenticeships.

“Enabling young enthusiastic students to develop their practical skills with on the job training as part of a modern Australian farm enterprise is critically important to ensuring the skills base of employees coming into the sector matches the needs of the sector,” RSA Executive Director Geoff Bloom said.

Sunbeam will donate $1,000 to each approved farmer under Future Farmers Program, which will go towards the cost of their apprenticeship. In addition, Sunbeam will commit another $1,000 bonus payment payable to each participating apprentice on completion of their Certificate II in Production Horticulture.

“Rural Skills Australia welcomes the opportunity to be associated with an iconic Australian company,” Mr Bloom added. “Sunbeam has a rich history of providing high quality dried fruit and nuts from its network of over 650 growers.

“Sunbeam is to be congratulated for opening the program to all farmers – not just those from within its existing network. It means the program becomes vital training ground for the next generation of farmers and farm workers, wherever they are.

“Sunbeam is recognising, in a practical way, the value of farmers and rural communities and, through this program, providing a huge stimulus to farms, rural economies and, of course, the development of youth and skills in rural communities.”

Applications are now open Australia-wide, available to employers of Certificate II Production Horticulture apprentices. The program is open to all growers, not just those within the Sunbeam network.

RSA will play an active role in the marketing and promotion of this initiative, and will assist Sunbeam with the management and coordination of the program.

More information, including Application Forms, is available online at: www.sunbeamfoods.com.au or www.ruralskills.com.au. Prospective applicants can also contact Rural Skills Australia on 1800 647 798.