vegetablesWA CEO’s Report

3 RECENTLY the team recorded two webinars covering labour issues and food safety.

ask some really valuable questions. If you’re a grower concerned about BY JOHN SHANNON getting workers, there are resources CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VEGETABLESWA available like the Studium website that are free and available to connect you with the workers you need.

Communicating with The other webinar we delivered looked growers is extremely important, now more at melon safety. Any grower that washes and packs fresh produce for market is recommended to take a look than ever due to the pandemic, at this webinar on the vegetablesWA and finding a way to deliver YouTube channel. We had growers from all over Australia, and as far key messaging is something as New Zealand, contribute to this that vegetablesWA is taking very seriously. webinar and the feedback has been extremely positive. I am pleased to report that Recently the team recorded two webinars covering labour issues and food safety. Industry bodies within horticulture are seriously concerned that labour sources are going to be an issue in the near vegetablesWA was granted funding by the Agricultural Produce Commission and Vegetable Producers Committee to offer its members support with Business Extension, Human Resources and Industrial Relations. Melon/Food safety webinar www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zf3j2Zyh6Ao future. With even stricter The analysis of data regimes being put in place collated from the and restricted movements across vegetablesWA Benchmarking our borders due to COVID-19, we feel project identified a gap in accessible this discussion is critically important specialist knowledge available to to ensure production and business growers to help them identify risks and continuity. Our Labour Scheme resource gaps to their businesses. Facilitator, Melissa Denning, was joined by growers and industry to have a candid conversation about the current situation, discuss the issues and look for workable solutions. We had around 45 people jump on this webinar and This project was developed to fill this gap and provide members with access to resources and advice that was identified from the Benchmarking project. I am extremely pleased to announce that Stephen Farrell has been appointed to this position. Stephen has extensive experience representing clients in both the Fair Work and Western Australian industrial commissions, before both single commissioners and full benches. Stephen will be able to provide the following services to growers: • HR Consultancy • Mediation of employee conflict • Representation in tribunals and commissions • Workplace Investigations • Review and drafting of employment contracts • Workplace compliance audits • Facilitation of Training Courses • Mentoring managers • General Industrial Relations advice • Occupational Health and Safety. We’re in the process of building an information page on our website where you’ll find a host of great resources put together by Stephen.

MORE INFORMATION

John Shannon, phone 0488 111 526 or email john.shannon@vegetableswa.com.au