Bowen Gumlu Growers Association is working on a trainee development scheme in conjunction with regional agencies and service providers. This activity has been driven, in part, by the impending loss of skilled permanent workers to the construction and mining sectors.
The program is supported by the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation through its Agribusiness Skills and Extension Strategy.
Regional agencies and providers have responded well to the process and steps have been taken to establish an industry/schools program with Bowen State High School to promote the production horticulture supply chain as a viable career. The Bowen growing district produces one third of Australia’s vegetables. 

Work has begun to have a coordinated trainee intake with five local producers taking on up to 10 trainees from 2012.  Trainees with undertake a Certificate III in Production Horticulture while working as permanent employees with one farm, or rotating around local farms as employees of TORGAS, the local group training company.

The Australian Agricultural College Corporation will be the registered training organisation for the traineeship initiative.

The industry/schools program is comprehensive and will include raising awareness with students, parents and staff. There will be work exposure and work experience activities and developing projects with the local agricultural research station. Week-end and school holiday jobs will be offered and school-leavers will be able to move into jobs in the industry. The program will continue to deliver relevant Certificate I and Certificate II qualifications.

These activities are seen as the first steps in embedding a higher level of awareness of the long-term employment opportunities the local production horticulture sector provides. This includes field production, packaging and value-adding through processing on-farm, business management and support, transport and logistics and export marketing.