Opportunity to fast-track agriculture careers

14 December 2009

Life-changing opportunity to fast-track agriculture careers

Applications are now open for Farming to Succeed, an intensive five-day career development course developed for the Agriculture Industry Training Organisation (ITO) with the support of dairy hygiene and animal health supplier FIL New Zealand.

Fifty people – 25 each from the North and South islands – are being given the chance to attend the residential courses next March and April – and all for free.

FIL director Arthur Jordan said he was excited by the prospect of sponsoring the programme that has been called “a life changing experience”.

“It brings a very specific agricultural focus to its content, while also emphasising the value of personal development and growth,” Mr Jordan said.

Kevin Bryant, Agriculture ITO’s chief executive said FIL’s sponsorship meant Farming To Succeed was set to become a major feature among rural personal development programmes.

“We see fostering the development of future leaders in agriculture as an important part of our role. Having such a practical and intensive course will open the eyes of those who attend to the possibilities of their career – and start them thinking about building sustainable, profitable businesses of their own.

“FIL’s support for the industry and the programme means we’ve been able to almost double the size of programme.”

Farming To Succeed builds on an earlier programme developed and facilitated for Agriculture ITO trainees by Waikato farmer and business owner Grant Taylor.

Successful applicants accompany Mr Taylor on a series of field visits and meetings with highly motivated and successful agribusiness people. Accommodation, food and travel expenses during the course are all provided.

Participants will also learn about some of the human factors that can affect the long-term viability of a farm ¬– such as families, communities and networks.

“It’s about making people sit up and think about what the important assets in their business are and inspiring them to make positive changes in themselves as people,” Mr Taylor said.

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“The programme has been extremely well received by all the previous attendees; several said they couldn’t put a value on it because it was the most life-changing event in their lives,” Mr Taylor said.

The course also caters for those who have made a mid-career transition into farming. “If you’ve got the right attitude, it’s never too late,” Mr Taylor said, referring to successful management and the possibility of farm ownership.

Logan Dawson, a 21-year-old ¬who aims to buy into the family’s Te Awamutu dairy farm one day, attended the course last year. He said it challenged his assumptions about farm ownership and his career. Since finishing the course he has bought a house and is broadening his work experience.

“Drop everything you are doing and go to the course, because it will change your whole outlook on the way you do farming,” he said.

“The course challenged me: that the route that I take to dairy farm ownership doesn’t always necessarily involve dairy farming. I’m paying my house off as well as working as a spray contractor; eventually I’ll use the house as a cashflow machine to fund buying cows and stuff for a farm,” he says.

Applicants must be enrolled with Agriculture ITO and studying at National Certificate level three or above. They can be from any farming sector and there is no upper-age limit. A maximum of 25 people will be chosen to attend each course

Forms and further details about Farming to Succeed are available at www.farmingtosucceed.co.nz and www.fil.co.nz or by phoning Agriculture ITO 0800 691 111. Applications close on 30 January 2010.

Agriculture ITO helps New Zealand agribusinesses improve their productivity and sustainability through better skills and knowledge. It is a non-profit organisation that manages national qualifications from level two to level five, subsidised by government and industry funding.

ENDS

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