Education and Skills
Federated Farmers wants more New Zealanders to consider working in the primary sector, especially at the farm face.
Agriculture is New Zealand's biggest export industry, providing a rewarding career to highly skilled individuals. Despite this, the sector struggles to attract workers. In part this is due to a bias in the urban secondary education system, due to a fundamental lack of understanding about farming. The long legacy of agriculture being labelled a "sunset industry" also haunts farming, more than two decades after it was erroneously stated.
During this time, however, New Zealand agriculture has been a world leader in innovation and research, which is a key reason why agriculture consistently outperforms the rest of the economy. This leadership must continue if agriculture is to continue being a strong growth driver.
Investment in training and educating employees and future industry leaders is an investment in New Zealand's future prosperity. By the same token, anything that undermines the training and education of those working in agriculture is a threat to New Zealand's long-term
economic future.
New Zealand's investment in this field to date has been underwhelming. Agriculture provides a range of opportunities, but at present these are underutilised. We need to encourage future generations to consider these opportunities in order to ensure agriculture remains a viable long-term contributor to the well-being of all New Zealanders.
The Federation wants agriculture to be promoted as a viable career, especially to the 86 percent of New Zealanders in urban areas. Farming needs to be recognised as a skilled occupation by education providers and policy makers, both at the school level and at tertiary level, with appropriate funding for agricultural education and training providers. Leadership development in the rural sector also needs to be supported and promoted.
Federated Farmers wants
- Greater encouragement of young people, urban and rural alike, to consider careers in the primary sector, including farming
- Recognition farming is a skilled occupation by education providers and policy makers
- Adequate funding for providers of agricultural education and training
- Financial support for leadership development in the rural sector.
Spokesperson
Federated Farmers Education spokesperson is Willy Leferink, you can contact him at wleferink@fedfarm.org.nz.
