UK desperately seeks kiwi agricultural trainees

May 09 2007

News Release – for immediate release

AgriVenture – International Agricultural Exchange Association (IAEA)

UK desperately seeks kiwi trainees

New Zealand agricultural trainees are desperately being sought for international AgriVenture programmes in the United Kingdom.

The UK AgriVenture office currently has a large number of host families crying out for trainees from June and July.

With no new trainees scheduled to arrive in the UK for the rest of 2007 the organisation is making a desperate plea for young kiwi people to consider the opportunity to live and learn through the International Agricultural Exchange Association (IAEA) in the UK.

AgriVenture New Zealand manager Robyn Baron said New Zealand trainees were constantly in demand overseas and the worldwide shortage of trainees had escalated that demand, particularly in the UK.

Good work ethic, a reputation as hard workers willing to fit in and learn, and always willing to share knowledge and New Zealand agricultural practices were several of the Kiwi attributes sought by the UK hosting programme, Baron said.

“The UK is just so desperately short of trainees for its 2007 programmes.”

Baron said there was a range of specific placements available including several straight cropping opportunities for people with good tractor and machinery skills.

There was a family seeking a trainee for a cropping and pig operation with a beef/cropping opportunity also immediately available and a position working with polo horses.
Several dairy operations were also seeking young New Zealand people.

A rare opportunity was coming available in November on a turkey and beef farm.

“This would be a fantastic placement. The last New Zealander went there for seven months and stayed two years,” Baron said.
A sheep milking/cheese-making farm, where a kiwi is currently based, would also have a position available in November.

AgriVenture programmes are run for people aged 18-30 years. They are set up to provide a safe way for young people to travel and work in rural placements around the world.

Trainees are placed with host families that have been vetted by and are members of the organisation.

“We arrange the whole package. Flights, work permits/visas, insurance, guaranteed job placement and full board and accommodation,” Baron said.

”This is an opportunity not just to work but to experience life and culture in another country.”

AgriVenture programmes had a built in support network for both the trainees and the host family.

“This is one of the most valuable parts of the programme. Each programme also has regular time off and built in holiday time so there’s plenty of opportunity for exploring the country with new friends too.”

The IAEA has been running the AgriVenture programme since 1963, with 30,000 young people travelling with the organisation over the past 43 years.

Baron said the scheme fostered lifelong friendships between hosts and trainees and their families and offered invaluable travel and international work opportunities.

Anyone interested in further details about the 2007 IAEA programmes, in particular the UK programmes, should contact Robyn Baron on freephone 0508 328000. Email: iaea.nz[at]xtra.co.nz

ENDS

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