where r the workers-- lol

The agri industry,especially the tree plantation joke(sic)need a big kick in the head,especially likes of the morons in the NFF,these cretins playing politics with community and regional towns are another cause of the demise in the country.The same tripe that is always comes from this group,that is the NFF,and yet chose to ignore the inquiry in WA over the forestry debacle and its cascading effect.

In plain context,Agri organisations couldn't manage let alone organise a kick in a stable full of horses

Jobs galore in regional Australia, but where are the workers?
By Will Ockenden from Melbourne 3000--ABC rural

Monday, 17/05/2010

Australia is at an employment crossroads.

The unemployment rate is 5.4 per cent, few people are without work, most unemployed live in the city, and yet rural areas struggle to get the work done.

It's claimed 100,000 jobs are available in regional Australia, as everyone from farmers to rural shops try to make the most of a better season.

Rural industry and lobby groups say unless the Federal Government does something, it'll damage Australia's economic recovery.

Out on the land, in the shearing shed, the packing shed or on the tractor, farmers are wondering where the labour will come from.

At Steve Harrison's property in Gippsland, it's shearing time and three middle aged men cutting fleece from sheep.

It's sweaty work, and the shearing shed is full, but Mr Harrison worries he won't be able to find enough workers.

"We employ shearers mostly, but it's not too bad at the moment," he says.

"But having said that we're going to lose a shearer soon who's about to retire so it could soon be a problem."

Water is flowing down the Murray Darling system, and farm production is ready for a boom.

It's worried the National Farmers Federation. The lobby group says there's not enough people to fill the available farm jobs and it's putting Australia's economy at risk.

It's calculated 100,000 jobs are needed over the next few years.

Denita Wawn is the general manager workplace relations at the NFF.

There's no doubt that there are significantly large numbers of jobs available in agriculture.

We think this will be increasing over the next 12 months and will continue to do so over the next few years.

The National Farmers Federation wants major tax breaks for businesses to make it cheaper to employ city workers in the country.

But in some areas there's already too much unemployment.

Gilbert Wilson is the mayor of the Glenelg Shire, a region that occupies the furthest south west pocket of Victoria.

"In the last two years, manufacturing industry has been hit with slowdowns. The smelter has put off a number of jobs too," he says.

The Glenleg Shire could become a wind, wave and geothermal renewable energy hub.

It's also home to Australia's Green Triangle, one of the country's largest forest regions.

Several years ago, many regional areas from WA to Tasmania were anticipating thousands of forestry jobs.

But when the global financial crisis hit, forestry managed investment scheme companies Great Southern and Timbercorp went broke, orders for timber dried up, and the jobs never arrived.

Always the salesman, Councillor Wilson says the promised harvest jobs are just around the corner.

"In three to five years, it's anticipated harvesting will reach its peaks and the industry will be looking for 1000 direct jobs and even 1000 indirect jobs," he says.

When the National Farmers Federation says 100,000 jobs are needed, the vast majority will need to be skilled workers.

That means training, or attracting people that have experience.

The NFF says most of Australia's unemployed people are in the capital cities, so Government must have policies to get people to move.

Kylie Filders from recruitment agency Employment Innovations in Sale, Victoria says it's not that simple.

She says farmers are often unwilling to train people for the job.

"It can be hard to find employment in this area. A lot of people demand qualifications, they're not willing to train they want to put people straight into the job."

"You've got seasonal workers that will go to the work, so they're job hopping. So the people who are unemployed, they won't get the work."

"We've got the people, we can fill the jobs. I think the farmers shouldn't be as picky as they have been."

But back on farm, wool producer Steve Harrison is happy to train people, so long as it means the work is there

"As soon as a young fella leaves school, if he shows a bit of promise we'll happily nab him and train him along"

"A lot of growers are happy to train people. I think most farmers can see the problems and most would encourage the young fella."