A project under the Hort Frontiers Leadership Fund is engaging graduate students with the horticulture industry.

It involves a Graduate Engagement Program with a two-phase approach designed to attract the right people, retain them and support their ongoing leadership development.

The industry program is connecting university students and horticultural businesses to build capacity and develop future leaders.

Delivered by Rimfire Resources, Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and Hort Innovation, the Graduate Engagement Program involves a 10-week internship during a student’s final year of study.

After they have graduated, the business can invite participants to complete a one-year graduate program.

Darcy Holmes was among the first intake of students who learned a lot during his internship and graduate year at Perfection Fresh.

And while completing the program, Darcy could focus 100 per cent on his research, knowing he had a job to go into after completing his Honours degree in biotechnology.

Click here to read more about Darcy’s journey, which is featured in the Vegetables Australia – Winter 2020 magazine.

Now in its third year, the program’s participants have increased and there are a further 22 positions available in 2020. For more information or to register your interest as a student or host company, please contact Gemma Burger on 1300 380 701.

Attracting new entrants into Australian horticulture – promoting careers in horticulture (LP15006) involves levy funding from the apple and pear, nursery and vegetable industries, in addition to other funding sources, and is funded through the Hort Frontiers Leadership Fund.