Southern Horticulture Careers Progression Manager, Chelsea Donnelly, has provided Summerfruit NZ with an update on her work in Central Otago to attract workers in to the area and summerfruit sector.
Like everyone, the Horticulture Career Progression Managers have been attempting to keep up with the flurry of training initiatives and funding for primary industry training to help re-deploy New Zealanders into job, and, where possible, new careers. The uptake of free training schemes has seen a surge of interest in the hort sector and is one that we will work to capitalise on through encouraging growers to engage in training to upskill current staff, and to employ and invest in new staff for the long term. Unsurprisingly, the immediate concern is around the upcoming season's harvest and ensuring we have the labour required to get fruit off the trees.
My role has expanded slightly to include working with the
Summerfruit NZ subcommittee and looking at ways to attract job seekers to our region for the coming seasonal roles. And in doing so, hopefully retain and encourage the return of some of these employees to the industry for future seasons.
Labour is traditionally an issue around harvest in Central Otago and, given the lack of backpackers in the country and the uncertainty around RSE workers, appealing to our students and communities will be vital in getting fruit picked. I will be taking this message along with the career possibilities into the tertiary training institutes in my region. This message will also be spread through planned community hort awareness evenings and secondary school visits over the coming school term.
There is a great opportunity within this crisis for summerfruit growers to attract new seasonal workers and in doing so showcase the industry as a vital and innovative industry that can offer further opportunities to job seekers.
Chelsea Donnelly
Southern Horticulture Careers Progression Manager
Mob: 027 478 0068