To ensure the seniority and success of Australia ’s nursery industry , it ’s crucial to tackle key manpower issues and challenge .

It ’s a motif strongly reflected in thenursery manufacture ’s Strategic Investment Plan 2017 - 21 , which is dedicated to investing in the great unwashed and developing the right human capital .

As part of this , the nursery industry has place a greater focal point on empowering cleaning lady to accelerate their careers and take on more responsibility at a business and industry level .

operation and Sales Manager at Tissue Culture Australia , Symone Mansfield , late share her experiences as a untried female leader in the industry .

As a player in the 2018 Green Industry Growing Leaders Program ( MT16002 ) , Symone was encouraged to see an even distribution of womanhood and human beings taking part in the development course .

“ It was a wonderful program , which supply a great opportunity to web with people across dissimilar areas of the industry , ” Symone say .

“ I found the presenter and course structure had great cut of meat through , particularly with developing communication skills and how to broach those more hard conversation . ”

In recent years , Symone has check positive change for woman function in horticulture , citing the current Hort Frontiers Leadership Fund and Women & Leadership Australia ( WLA ) Scholarships .

The WLA Scholarships aim to address cardinal barriers for women working across unlike levels in horticulture , and equip participants with the right tools to support personal and professional ontogeny .

Symone , a control board member of Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria ( NGIV ) , encouraged her peers to use for the Scholarships , with expressions of interest now assailable until December 7 , 2018 .

“ I see self-assurance as a key roadblock to woman taking that next step , and putting their hands up for leadership theatrical role . While it can be intimidating at times , I ’ve find out the greenhouse industry to be very welcoming and supportive , ” Symone said .

“ Whether it ’s a leadership function or a career development initiative , I encourage woman to get involved . The initiatives are a peachy way to discover new skills and get as a managing director . ”

Symone enjoin participation in career development programs empowered women and provided them with confidence to take on more responsibility in their businesses .

“ The course are a great opportunity to web with industry , to build relationships and to partake in experiences with people who have , or are going through , standardised challenge , ” she said .

Discussing long - term memory for woman in the nursery industry , Symone said continued investment funds in career development opportunities will propel more woman into leadership function .

“ Our industry involve to be positioned as an employer of choice , which cater ongoing documentation and development for the current and future fair sex of the diligence , ” she said .

“ cleaning woman bring a worthful and diverse stage set of acquisition to the business , and we must continue to strive for equal representation across all aspects of the industry . ”

For more information : Nursery & Garden Industry Australia[email   protected]www.ngia.com.au