Inside Bowen farmers’ job seeker plan, NBN recruitment drive
Job seekers are being asked to #pickparadise in a critical push for workers during North Queensland’s prime harvesting season as a national recruitment campaign launches for technicians in the regions.
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As NBN launches a national recruitment drive in regional Australia, farmers in North Queensland have begun their own job seeker campaign #PickParadise.
The national broadband network is seeking to boost technician numbers in regional Australia — including Airlie Beach, Mackay and 15 other Queensland locations — with more than 130 roles available across the country.
The #PickParadise initiative was born in Bowen with a goal to attract a new workforce for the region’s agriculture and aquaculture industries.
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association says the job seeker campaign focuses on the beauty of the Whitsundays and the “superior work life balance on offer”.
A digital platform – www.pickparadise.com.au – features a bespoke job noticeboard to advertise roles in horticulture, agriculture and aquaculture workplaces.
Connecting to dedicated social media pages and profiles, the platform targets specific demographics within Australia to promote diverse occupations within the sector.
BGGA chief executive officer Ry Collins said it was a perfect time to reignite interest in working in North Queensland.
“With the horticulture industry at peak production, and the mango season beginning in November, workers in the region could be guaranteed ongoing positions in a variety of roles,” Mr Collins said.
“Pick Paradise also presents a new opportunity for growers to advertise upcoming positions on the website and then use the hashtag #pickparadise to remain connected across social media.” Association president Carl Walker said he welcomed state government funding to support growers through workforce labour and skills shortages.
“It is vital that we continue to innovate new ways to attract workers to the region,” he said.
“#PickParadise demonstrates the ways we can support our industry through contemporary workforce planning practices.”
Senior Field Technicians are part of NBN’s customer-facing workforce, helping maintain the
broadband network and respond to customer service appointments as more people join the network.
“These roles are an important part of our commitment to boosting our presence in Australia’s regional and rural communities,” NBN field services executive general manager Keven Allan said.
“High-speed broadband is vital in enabling the way we work, learn, access health and other services and how we connect with family and friends.
“Our people have enabled service providers to connect more than 8.3 million homes and businesses to the NBN network and a further 3.6 million premises are ready to connect.
“We are invested in creating equal opportunity for the more than 17 million people who access services over the NBN network every day and enabling communities, schools, families, and businesses nationwide to take part in the digital economy.”
“Growing our field workforce in regional locations ensures we have people to meet growing demand, particularly in a post Covid era where many have decided to move from capital cities to regional and country areas of Australia.”
NBN is seeking field technicians in Airlie Beach, Atherton, Ayr, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Innisfail, Ingham, Kingaroy, Mackay, Mount Isa, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville and Warwick.
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