New opportunities for employment and training are shooting up on the Sunshine Coast with STEPS entering into a new venture at the old CADET Nursery in Caloundra.
The George Street nursery, which began as a Council facility, enjoys a proud 15 year heritage of hosting hundreds of trainees, volunteers and participants within a funded horticultural program.
Together with partners BARUNG Land Care and Smart City Training, STEPS will continue the proud tradition at the facility through a reinvigorated ‘sustainable social business venture’. STEPS and its business partners will combine to make the nursery a hive of activity, hosting disability employment activities, community training and work experience programs and environmental initiatives.
BARUNG Land Care will provide expertise in operational and nursery planning, environmental planting, seed collection and local market knowledge to the business, along with green educational and volunteer programs. Smart City will provide qualified horticulture trainers who will oversee a new planting program, and also other professional services to ensure the nursery becomes a sustainable venture and participants are assisted along their career path. “This partnership will be a win/win situation for all parties,” said STEPS’ Business Opportunity Manager, Greg Poultney. “We are laying solid foundations for a community native plant nursery we can all be proud of.”
