New Zealand farmers are exploring new online training options to help them understand modern careers in the growing fruit and vegetable industry.
Heidon Taylor, manager of Robert Orchhard in central Otago, said participatory and effective training is critical to building sustainable human resources.
“If we focus on attracting and training new workers, we will encourage young people to come in, buy and stay in the industry for 30 or 40 years,” he said.
Taylor began managing a 32-hectare apple farm in CAJ Apples NZ in May, but has been responsible for introducing and training new employees for several months. He wants to use all the tools and technologies available to help new employees understand the job opportunities in the industry.
“I look forward to exploring different styles of training. I want to see if there are opportunities for people to come into the garden and buy the work and try to excel. ”
Most recently, Taylor was working on ten small certificates launched earlier this year in New Zealand for Apple and Pear, Gohort and eCampus NZ. Free, bite online courses introduce students to career opportunities in horticulture and cover a wide range of topics, from health and wellness to leading a group of fruits and vegetables.
“We look to the future as a source of inspiration for those who want to learn more about what’s going on in the world of fruit and vegetables,” he said. NZ Capability Manager, Emma Booth, said the courses will begin in April this year.
Wanting to include them in the training, Hayden completed ten courses. He is particularly interested in introducing new employees in a participatory way using health and safety course content.
“I’m trying to come up with different ideas,” said Taylor. My training and teaching style is focused on making people forget that working on orchards is a dream come true. ”
“I think there is a great potential for micro-testimonials in the landscape that has changed since COVID-19. It will make it easier for the unemployed to get used to the new jobs quickly and for managers to train employees in certain areas, ”Taylor said.
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