The South Australian government has announced A$50,000 (US$36,650) grant for hydroponic grower Sundrop Farms to fund a pilot skills development project in Port Augusta.
The grant will offer 32 local job seekers accredited and non-accredited training and skills in horticulture.
“This pilot funding will allow us to offer tailored training to the first intake of new Sundrop employees, setting them up to succeed from day one,” Sundrop Farms facility GM Phillip Lemon said in a press release. “It also allows us to offer opportunities to individuals who have the right attitude we are looking for, but need training to develop skills in sustainable horticulture; this funding enables us to offer pre-vocational training to assist people to become better candidates.”
The state government has also contributed A$6m towards Sundrop Farm’s greenhouse expansion as part of its Regional Development Fund.
“The company’s innovative technology – growing high quality produce in the desert using solar energy and desalinated seawater – is exactly the type of commercial enterprise we want to attract to our State to create a new economy,” South Australian regional development minister Geoff Brock said.
