I've a good friend at Murray Bridge who's having troubles getting workers for his nursery and I know growers at Angle vale who are closing their gates because there is a shortage of labour. None of these are interested in certificates or training.
We're stuck in a place where the paperwork is more important than a strong back and a willingness to work.
Yet I've applied for this kind of work multiple times and never heard anything back. I'm not sure what the deal breaker is, but there could be an assumption that Aussies (white ones) don't work hard. I noticed nearly all the employees at the growers were foreign. However, I can also see why many Aussies wouldn't want to work the hours and conditions some places ask for. We're talking 7-5 minimum, 6 days a week and sometimes 7, with earlier starts when it gets light earlier. In one of the places we saw, the chlorine for processing was worse than being in the swimming baths. It was overpowering!
One of the growers was willing to consider part time. The chap running the course was saying that they are starting to realise that if they're asking for flexibility then they also need to offer some flexibility to their workers.
I noticed a lot of the work was piece work too, so you have to pick a minimum to make your hourly wage. If you can't then I guess you're out the door or your hourly wage drops? If you're a fast worker it can be a good wage, though. I'm absolutely not fast...
It's definitely true that white Aussies don't want to work hard in those conditions. We've been sheltered too much. Saying that, those I know who work in those fields while they are young and single do quite well.
Sadly, you couldn't work at some of the biggest employers around here though - the chicken 'farms'.
Oh gosh, there's no way I could handle that work! I'm kind of glad to have the excuse of having chickens, so they wouldn't have me anyway due to the bio risk. Shaun knew someone working for Inghams processing who tried to get him work there, but he couldn't face it. He's not sqeemish, but he loves animals.
You're right, if I didn't have family, then I'd have no issues with the work or hours. Things change when you realise you want a work life balance, though. Your priorities shift as you get older.
As I get older, my priorities haven't had a shift, they've had a landslide!
😅
Funny how huge the shift in priorities becomes. Things that were so important when we were younger seem trifling now too.
At my age, and being a guy, everything is trifling except for one's libido 🙄
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