Agriculture set to benefit from new highly qualified graduates

29/2/00
Primary Industry Minister Monty House welcomed 20 new graduate employees to the staff of Agriculture Western Australia today.
The intake is part of the agency's Graduate Recruitment Program, which was established in 1997 to recruit and develop high quality graduate staff.
Mr House said the program continued to attract high calibre applicants who will be working in a wide range of disciplines.
"This year we welcome 14 women and six men who come from a number of tertiary institutions. Fourteen have post-graduate qualifications," he said.
"These people will bring enthusiasm and new ideas as they start their new careers with Agriculture Western Australia."
Mr House said 16 of the 20 officers would eventually be located in regional areas around the State, from Carnarvon to Esperance.
"I strongly believe that our agency's staff should be positioned close to the people we are servicing wherever possible," he said.
The four metropolitan graduate positions include two new staff for Agriculture Western Australia's commercial arm, Agwest Trade and Development, a marketing graduate for the agency's Wool Service Desk at Fremantle and a research officer to be based at the South Perth laboratory.
More graduates are to be appointed later in the year.
Mr House said he had worked with graduates in previous years when they spent time working on a project from his office.
"I look forward to working with this year's graduates in much the same way," he said.
At an induction ceremony to welcome the graduates, Mr House said they represented the future of Agriculture Western Australia and its place in serving the rural community.
"They have an important role to play in the development and advancement of agriculture in this State and they will be a valued part of the community," he said.
A highlight of the function was a presentation to eight staff who had served AGWEST for 40 to 50 years.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9481 2044

2000 Graduate Recruitment Program