May 22, 2019
PGF push to put rangatahi on horticulture jobs
The success of a horticulture careers manager in Northland has prompted the Provincial Growth Fund to partner with Horticulture New Zealand to invest in a further five horticulture and viticulture careers coordinators.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says they will work throughout the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, upper South Island, Otago and Manawatu regions to help match potential workers with potential employers.
They’re regions with over-representation of people not in employment, education or training, including many rangatahi Māori.
A major focus for Horticulture NZ will be engaging with schools and bridging the gap from education to employment.
Mr Jones says horticulture is New Zealand’s fourth largest primary industry – worth over $5.6 billion in 2017 – but its growth could be threatened by labour shortages
For the $1.1 million investment the fund expects to see a marked improvement in the amount of sustainable employment opportunities for New Zealand workers.
The industry has about 50 apprentices a year and the project aims to double that.
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