In a boost for people looking for a different career path, six new regional careers progression managers have recently been added to the horticulture industry. These positions are spread around the main horticulture regions of Northland, Nelson, Bay of Plenty, Massey University and, with respect to summerfruit particularly; one based in Hawke’s Bay and one in Otago.
These roles have been created in part by funds from the Provincial Growth Fund (applied for and coordinated by the Horticultural Capability Group and HortNZ), and the rest made up from the Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust, Ministry of Social Development and other regional stakeholder groups from each region. The Provincial Growth Fund funding comes from an allocation under the Te Ara Mahi portion which is primarily to focus on regional skills and employment development.
The Otago based role has recently been taken up by Chelsea Donnelly, and in Hawke’s Bay by George Rarere, who also holds the position of workforce development manager for New Zealand Apples and Pears. Chelsea said that the aim of these roles is to transition and increase the number of people moving into apprenticeships, other training and careers within horticulture and viticulture.
Otago-based Chelsea Donnelly
‘The horticultural sector is expected to grow, with a strong demand for highly skilled roles and the career progression managers will help to define and promote career pathways within the industry’ she said.
The work will involve engaging with growers, secondary schools, and tertiary institutes as well as the Ministry of Social Development and other training and community groups that may have potential to feed into the horticultural job sector.
‘As an industry we want to change the perception of horticulture throughout the country. The career progression managers will play an important role in doing this by providing clear and consistent messages, linking with schools in each area and working together closely’ Chelsea said.
Governance groups made up of sector leaders in each area provide support and clear strategic direction for each manager with Horticulture NZ providing overarching support.
Chelsea added that ‘even prior to Covid-19 opportunities in horticulture were growing at a fast rate and the industry was struggling to fill permanent skilled roles as the value of a career in horticulture had not been given the attention or value that it deserves. Given the current situation there will be an even more pressing need to showcase our industry to local school students and the community as the workforce becomes less predictable, particularly our overseas workers. Horticulture, as with all our primary industries, is proving how important it is to our economy and to the health and overall survival of our communities’.
The careers progression group has launched a website to showcase the industry to students, schools, and job seekers. The aim is for it to be used as a resource to support the work that the career progression managers are doing in raising awareness and promotion pathways in the industry.
Otago-based Chelsea Donnelly can be contacted by emailing chelsea.donnelly@hortnz.co.nz and Hawke’s Bay-based George Rarere can be contacted by emailing george.rarere@applesandpears.nz