The harvest of berries The new contract for Costa has started across all of its farms in the north-west of the country, with staff expected to peak at 2.000 over the course of the season. Recruitment of local employees is already underway, with positions available for all stages of the harvest, from picking and packing to transport and logistics.

Rohan Kile, regional manager for Costa Berries, says the season is looking promising, with peak production expected in January and February.

“We continue to offer various employment opportunities to local workers, both short and long term,” he says.

Cameron Welsh, who has just finished his final year of secondary school, has started his fourth season at the Costa distribution centre. “I started working here when I was 15, during summer holidays and weekends. I can do long hours, it pays well and it’s flexible too. I’ve recommended it to some of my friends who now also work here,” he says.

Cameron, who recently obtained his forklift licence, says he will use this season to consider his future career options, including going to university or continuing to work with Costa. As well as local employees, Costa also employs seasonal workers through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and holiday workers (backpackers), who are returning in increasing numbers.

Kile explains that many of the PALM staff have spent several seasons working in Tasmania and the team was looking forward to welcoming them back to the community.

“As part of our seasonal workforce through the PALM scheme, we have people from a number of Pacific Island nations. These groups are accommodated in a number of houses and larger facilities, including a hotel in East Devonport.”

Costa also has a transfer program, which helps people who work on other farms berries from the mainland coast to travel to Tasmania for the summer harvest.