Trainee Grower (Production Horticulture)

Costa is looking for a motivated and curious Trainee Grower to join our mushroom operations at Monarto, near Murray Bridge in South Australia.

This two-year traineeship will combine practical, on-the-job learning with a Certificate III in Production Horticulture. Working alongside experienced Growers and operational teams, you will gain hands-on exposure to commercial mushroom production while building the technical knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to take on increasing responsibility over time.

You do not need previous mushroom-growing experience. What matters most is your willingness to learn, your interest in how things grow and your readiness to contribute as part of a team.

About Costa:

Costa is a leading grower, packer and marketer of premium-quality fresh produce. Our success is built on our commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability across our business.

Our Monarto mushroom farm is a purpose-built operation producing fresh mushrooms for customers across Australia. It offers an exciting environment in which to learn about modern commercial horticulture, food production and sustainable farming.

What you will learn and do:

Supported by experienced Growers and operational leaders, you will:

• Learn about the complete mushroom-growing cycle, from compost and growing through to harvesting and production
• Assist with daily growing activities and the monitoring of crop performance
• Learn how temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions influence mushroom growth
• Help monitor crop quality, yields and growing-room conditions
• Build an understanding of climate-control systems and how they support crop performance
• Assist with production planning, record keeping and the collection of crop and yield information
• Learn about pest, disease and crop-health management
• Work closely with growing, harvesting, quality and operational teams
• Follow food safety, quality and workplace safety requirements
• Contribute ideas and participate in improvement activities and practical business projects.

Your two-year development journey:

Year 1: Building your foundations:

During your first year, you will focus on understanding:

• Mushroom production and crop biology
• The different stages of the growing cycle
• Growing environments and climate-control systems
• Food quality and safety standards
• Daily operational processes
• Safe and effective workplace practices.

Year 2: Developing capability and ownership:

As your skills and confidence grow, you will:

• Take on increasing responsibility within growing operations
• Strengthen your technical growing knowledge
• Contribute to crop-monitoring and growing decisions
• Build your problem-solving and planning capability
• Complete a practical project connected to a business priority.

Your qualification:

As part of the traineeship, you will work towards a Certificate III in Production Horticulture. The training is intended to be delivered in the workplace and completed progressively alongside your practical development over the two-year program. Additional learning support may also be available where required.

What you will bring:

We are looking for someone who has:

• A genuine interest in agriculture, horticulture, mushroom growing or food production
• A positive attitude and strong willingness to learn
• Curiosity and an interest in understanding how things work
• A practical, hands-on approach
• Good communication skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Basic problem-solving, organisation and attention-to-detail skills
• Basic language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills
• A commitment to workplace safety, food quality and continuous improvement
• A current driver’s licence and reliable transport to travel to the Monarto site.

A forklift licence would be helpful but is not essential.

Why join Costa?

When you join Costa, you will receive:

• Paid, full-time employment while completing your qualification (traineeship wages apply)
• Structured workplace learning and practical experience
• Guidance and mentoring from experienced Growers
• Exposure to modern commercial mushroom production
• Opportunities to build your technical, operational and professional skills
• A supportive team environment
• The foundations for a long-term career in horticulture and fresh food production.

Where could this opportunity take you?

The traineeship has been designed as an entry point into a longer-term career within Costa’s Mushroom Operations. Following successful completion, you may have the opportunity to be considered for future positions in growing, technical or production operations as vacancies and business needs arise.

Potential longer-term pathways may include:

• Assistant Grower
• Grower
• Senior Grower
• Technical specialist roles
• Production leadership roles
• Operational management opportunities.

Ready to grow with us?

If you are ready to learn, enjoy practical work and want to build a career in one of Australia’s most important industries, we would like to hear from you.

Tell us what interests you about horticulture or food production, why you would like to join the traineeship and what you hope to learn through the opportunity.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to apply early.

Applicants must have full Australian working rights to be considered for this position.

Apply now

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