Horticultural worker
Christie Centre Inc.

SWL Opportunity Placement: Horticulture Nursery Assistant with the Christie Centre Inc. Social Enterprise, GrowAbility Nursery.

SWL Placement Location: GrowAbility Nursery, 363 Cureton Avenue, Mildura (towards Apex Park).

The Christie Centre has been a major provider of services in the region for people with a disability since 1954. It is a not-for-profit organisation providing a range of disability services for our community. Christie Centre Inc. vision is “Supporting people to have meaningful lives in their community”. Christie Centre Inc. seeks to fulfil this vision by offering a diverse and relevant range of programs and services. Christie Centre Inc. values demonstrate open and honest communication, team work and collaboration, respect, accountability and building strong relationships.
The SWL Placement is at growAbility Native Nursery.

In late 2019 the Christie Centre purchased the GrowAbility Nursery (previously the Mildura Native Nursery) continuing an environmentally sustainable business to offer climate hardened and appropriate drought resistant plants for the Mildura and wider Sunraysia area. The nursery is operated by a highly skilled and qualified team with many years of training and knowledge. The nursery has a history of providing quality plants for large scale plantings as well as local home owners.

This opportunity is for a student to gain structured workplace learning as a Horticulture Nursery Assistant in a supportive team environment. This is an ideal placement for a student studying a VDSS subject in Horticulture or Rural Operations to gain skills at a Nursery owned and operated by a leading Disability Support Service.

Sounds like a pretty good employer to have on your resume doesn't it? Make the Christie Centre Inc. your next phone call to find out more.

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please share this opportunity with your Careers Transition Pathway Officer or VCE-VM Coordinator.

Skills You Might Learn

The student may have the opportunity to attain a broad range of skills while on work placement. These may include valuable employability skills such as:
• Communication.
• Teamwork.
• Punctuality.
• Presentation.
• Problem solving.
• Planning.
• Initiative.
• Hygiene.
• Follow instructions.
• Work under supervision.
• Industry specific OH&S.


Students will also gain valuable experience in the industry which may include improved recognition and identification of different plant genus and species types, determination of different types of soil/growing media. Students will participate in OHS processes and environmentally sustainable work practices.

Typical Tasks & Duties

As a Horticulture Nursery Assistant, you will assist qualified staff under supervision with potting up, weeding, preparing soil, plant maintenance of potted stock including pruning, propagation, plant identification and general care of nursery products. Detailing of plants for dispatch to customers including labelling and presentation for sale.

Tasks and duties may include:
• Communicate and work in Horticulture industry
• Work with diverse people.
• Participate in workplace health and safety.
• Organise and complete daily work activities.
• Work within a community development framework.
• Use strategies to respond to routine workplace problems.
• Interact effectively with others at work.
• Daily set up and pack up / clean up.

Student Requirements

Students with a positive attitude towards the Horticulture Industry and in particular as a Horticulture Nursery Assistant that are self-motivated, willing to listen and follow instruction are encouraged to consider a future SWL Placement to develop skills learned from their study and VET program in Horticulture.

Whilst the students is attending the work placement they are expected to:
• Dress appropriately.
• Maintain interest and participate in tasks and work duties.
• Be well mannered and behave in a respectful and responsible manner.
• Be punctual.
• Follow management instructions.
• Act in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.
• Work within the team.
• Listen and take advice from fellow workers.
• Respect other people’s belongings.
• Keep a note pad and pen handy to take notes for their own reference.
• Demonstrate the skills they have developed through their course.
• Take their Log Book to the work placement every day.

Students prior to placement commencement will be required to;
Complete an Induction Day and on-line Infection Control Module.
Obtain Police Check if 18 yrs and over prior to commencing.
Comply with COVID 19 Safe Plan.

Dress Requirements

The student will be required to present in the following work attire;
• Safety boots.
• Hi Vis shirt, long sleeve.
• Long pants.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the tasks and duties carried out by the student, will be supplied by the Host Employer.

Special Transport Requirements

Public Transport is limited, students to check bus transport availability and or speak to parents/carer to organise transport prior to contacting employer.

CDC Victoria - Mildura: Ph: 5023 0274, Website: https://cdcvictoria.com.au/travel-information/timetables-and-maps/mildura/.

RELATED COURSES INCLUDE

• AHC20416 - Certificate II in Horticulture
• VIC20116 - VCAL Studies