What is it all about?

The Horticultural Industry Internship Program is a new initiative addressing workforce shortages in Australian horticulture by offering paid, industry-based internships to undergraduate and graduate students from Western Sydney University (WSU). Interns will gain practical experience tailored to the needs of host businesses, helping to build a skilled pipeline of future horticulturalists, agronomists, pathologists, entomologists and farm managers. 

Internships will run for three to twelve months and draw on students from WSU’s Bachelor of Science (AgriFood) and Master of Science (Agriculture, Greenhouse Horticulture) programs—including students from its Indian campus—integrating global talent into the local workforce. Supported by domestic and international partnerships, the program links academic training with real-world industry experience to boost employability and sector sustainability. 

By strengthening university–industry connections, the program will help fill workforce gaps, support innovation on-farm, and ensure graduates are job-ready. Case studies and ongoing evaluation will showcase successful outcomes and encourage broader industry participation.