DWN launches new professional development modules

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For immediate release

Date: 16 October 2014

DWN launches new professional development modules

Dairy Women’s Network is excited about launching its new Dairy Modules programme to its members for the first time next month.

The first Dairy Module, funded by DairyNZ, is titled ‘Eyes wide open – negotiating a fair contract’.

Dairy Women’s Network, Federated Farmers and DairyNZ worked together to develop the training to help contract milkers, sharemilkers and owners to negotiate a fair contract.

Dairy Women’s Network has contracted Lee Astridge from No.8 HR to lead their sessions and Federated Farmers has contracted Tony Wilding and Ciarán Tully.

These 10 sessions will be held in Stratford, Cambridge, Ashburton and Winton (Federated Farmers) and Dannevirke, Gore, Ngatea, Greymouth, Rotorua and Oamaru (Dairy Women’s Network).

“It is expected there will be keen interest in these sessions where the new Herd Owning Sharemilking Agreement and Variable Order Sharemilking Agreement (Federated Farmers) and other contractual and budgeting issues will be addressed,” said DWN chief executive Zelda De Villiers.

The second Dairy Women’s Network module covers goal-setting and is being run by jointly by DWN and DairyNZ

“DairyNZ staff will train two DWN volunteer regional convenors to deliver the training to their peers, in keeping with the network’s goal of empowering and developing the talents of its members,” said De Villiers.

“The sessions are developed with the members’ knowledge of on-farm training needs to ensure the training is practical, farm-focused and delivered in a way in which our members prefer to learn.”

Dairy Modules in development for 2015 include technology on-farm (smart phones), rostering on-farm and animal welfare.

The modules replace the organisation’s previous professional development programmes called Dairy Days and Financial Days – nationwide roadshows which ran annually since 2005.

“The new Dairy Modules programme is more flexible. The sessions are offered in two two-hour blocks. Women can opt to come to the first session only, or the first and second sessions,” said De Villiers.

The topics for the sessions are discussed and decided annually at the Dairy Women’s Network’s regional convenors’ meeting in April each year, when relevant professional and personal development topics are identified and prioritised.

“The development and delivery of the Dairy Modules is very collaborative, and uses feedback from network members, network volunteers and experts in the subject areas we’re covering.

“It’s a more inclusive way of developing and delivering the training.”

Dairy Modules locations and dates

For more information, visit www.dwn.co.nz

-ENDS-

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