NEXTGEN: MANI SWIFT
Interview with NextGen
Mani Swift Ball Australia
Where do you work and what is your role?
What do you like most about the nursery industry?
I currently work at Ball Australia, a wholesale plug production nursery located in Skye, we specialise in a wide variety of plants such as cut flowers, ornamentals and indoor plants. I am currently in charge of the final stage of production, this area consists of two houses and has a wide range of products. My role is to grow these products to their final size, which will then dispatch to the customer.
What I like most about the nursery industry is that you never stop learning; there is so much knowledge to acquire within the industry and within the biology of plants, which makes this job so interesting. The satisfaction of growing plants and producing great products is also very fulfilling.
How long have you worked where you are and has your role progressed in the time you have been there? I have worked for Ball Australia for two years now, in this time I have worked in multiple areas of the nursery, to learn about the different stages of production from start to finish. My role has progressed from being an assistant grower, to now being in charge of an area as well as training people to work with me in my department.
Where would you like your career to go within the industry? My future goals within this career is to work my way towards head grower or management positions. Further on down the track, being able to travel the world visiting nursery’s and teaching about plant production is a great aspiration of mine.
How did you end up working in the nursery industry? Plants have always been an interest of mine as well as growing them for a hobby, following a career path of something that interested me seemed like the
most desirable path to follow. Applying for my apprenticeship at Ball Australia was the best decision I’ve ever made.
What is a typical day like for you? A typical day for me starts with accessing my crops, I will walk all rows, visually inspecting everything as well as checking the overnight water loss. After any product sorting or moving is done I will begin making decisions on what watering/feeding will need to be done that day, depending on the weather and water loss. This usually takes me through to the afternoon where I will the have a final check of my area before going home for the day or commencing an afternoon spray.
Are you currently studying and if ‘yes’ where and what? I am currently completing my certificate III in Production Nursery at Chisholm, this is my final year of studying and this course has really given me a lot of knowledge that I can use at Ball Australia.
What level of study are you at presently and how much more do you plan on doing? After I have competed my Certificate III I would like to continue my studies with either a diploma or degree in horticulture, this further studying will help me greatly in learning more about my field of work, which I can then apply in my workplace.
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