It includes entry level training to help people transition to farming.
There are at least 1000 jobs available on dairy farms, DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said.
“As the new season gets under way on June 1 even more positions are likely to become available.
“For people who’re looking for work and like the idea of caring for animals and the environment there are lots of jobs and career progression opportunities.”
Mackle said the campaign has a big emphasis on ensuring new staff understand what is involved in farm life.
“We want a win-win situation – for new dairy farming employees to be happy and fulfilled in their new lifestyle and jobs and for farm employers to have great talent working for them.
Dairy farming also pays one of the highest average wages of all the primary sectors.
“For the most part we’re anticipating interested people will be from the regions where there are big job losses in tourism and hospitality and where there is dairying close by.
“An example is the dairy heartland of Waikato, which is also home to the Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves attractions and the neighbouring Rotorua area where there have been job losses, both direct and in the local support businesses.”
While new entrants to dairy farming will start in junior roles they can expect a rewarding career path.
“Even though they are new to farming many people already have skills that are readily transferrable and valued on dairy farms.
“This is because dairy farming these days is quite diverse and there are many roles from doing the farm books to working with machinery, working with animals and managing staff and making full use of technology along the way.
“Skills from previous work and a determination to give their best will see people new to farming quickly progress from a farm assistant position to herd manager and then other management roles and even ownership later on.”
People interested in knowing more about working on dairy farms, where the jobs are and the introductory training can visit godairy.co.nz/career-changers where they can register their interest.
Key Facts:
Pay: The annual pay averages $42,000 for farm assistants rising to $50,000-$55,000 for herd and assistant managers and $70,000 upwards for farm managers.
Where are the jobs? Dairy farm jobs are available in all of the country’s major dairying regions, in particular Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
Training: DairyNZ is finalising the details of the GoDairy farm-ready course for career changers. It will give information about life and work on a farm and teach the basics of animal handling and vehicle safety.
Once on farm the workers will be suppoted by the farm employer and colleagues. As many farm staff already do, they can choose to go on to learn more and obtain formal qualifications through courses provided by Primary ITO, Dairy Training, regional polytechnics and other training providers.
