Border restrictions see out-of-work pilots retrain as machinery operators for WA grain harvest
ABCInternational airline pilots are being retrained to operate harvest machinery as COVID-19 grounds flights and keeps farm workers from where they are needed. Key points: Border restrictions are keeping experienced farm workers out of WA As the grain industry approaches harvest season, it says 1,000 workers are needed Stood-down pilots are retraining to operate harvest machinery Western Australia's grain growers are on track to produce 14.5 million tonnes this season. "We surveyed the West Australian grain industry and came up with a shortage of over 1,000 machinery operators," said agricultural trainer Ley Webster, who typically upskills backpackers and itinerant workers. "It's just incredibly hard to get into this state at the moment, even if you have good reasons or you have approval from someone such as us to come over and help us," he said. "Farmers are reaching peak debt levels now, anxiety levels will increase until the crop is in the shed or at port and there's certainty on our returns," Mr Curwen said.
History of this topic
Seasonal worker boost to offer some relief to WA growers, but is it too late for this year's harvest?
ABCWA worker shortage threatens harvest, farmers say, predicting 'catastrophic' year
ABCFederal Government set to allow fruit pickers from Vanuatu into Australia despite coronavirus border closure
ABCDiscover Related
)
