Friday, March 29, 2024

Horticulture wants more young folk

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Young people should be considering a career in horticulture if they want variety, opportunities and a role in producing healthy food, the Horticulture Capability Group that will be promoting the industry at this year’s Fieldays says.
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The group is a joint venture between New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, NZ Apples and Pears, NZ Avocado, Vegetables NZ, the Hawke’s Bay Fruit Growers Association and Horticulture NZ.

“The group’s vision is for horticulture to be the career of first choice,” Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman said. 

“All the group partners are working together to attract the right people to horticulture and to retain them by supporting development of their careers.

“Horticulture should be an industry that everyone considers,” NZ Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular said. 

“On any given day I get to strategise about avocados, meet passionate growers, experience amazing innovation and even wander onto an orchard to be at one with nature. 

“Choosing to be involved in such a collaborative industry allows me to make a difference through growing fantastic natural food right here in NZ.”

“Horticulture is experiencing significant value growth, now topping $8.8 billion in sales,” Vegetables NZ general manager John Seymour said. 

“Vegetable production, the third largest horticulture sector, is no exception, with a value of $1.8b. 

“This substantial growth requires an ever-increasing number of skilled people to grow and supply quality produce to meet increasing consumer demand from NZ and around the world.

“The kiwifruit industry is growing fast and opportunities available for training and careers are varied and exciting,” NZ Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Nikki Johnson said.

“We want to let young people know how they can be part of our industry’s future.

“As horticulture industry businesses have grown so, too, have the opportunities for a range of sophisticated and rewarding careers,” NZ Apples and Pears chief executive Alan Pollard said. 

“Demand for skilled staff is increasing as the industry grows. 

“We need to promote our world leading horticulture sector to the next generation and work with education providers to ensure that those prospective staff have the skills that we will need over the next 10 to 15 years.”

A career in horticulture can be rewarding, offers a career path, develops transferable skills across horticulture, provides access to interesting people and overseas travel and the chance to one day own a business.

The group’s stand will celebrate and promote horticulture with profiles of successful industry people on display, with young people working in the industry on the future-leader path available to talk to people looking for career options.

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