Federated Farmers backs Aoraki Polytechnic

Federated Farmers backs Aoraki Polytechnic as Rural Professional Engagement Hub

Aoraki Polytechnic launched a quarterly programme of primary industry professional development sessions this week by connecting Agribusiness Software Specialists with the local farming industry.

In reference to the event, New Zealand Federated Farmers South Canterbury Provincial President Ivon Hurst, said, “knowledge is power and the more of these sort of events we can get the better.

“Being versatile in today’s market is extremely important and communication is vital to our ability to react quickly to market demands. For example having reliable data allows us to negotiate market prices from a position of strength,” Mr Hurst said.

The sessions mirror the increasing provision offered by Aoraki Polytechnic in primary industries including courses such as horticulture, animal care and a newly developed Farm Cadet Programme.

The Cadetship has been developed following demand from the Federated Farmers for a qualification which matched the industry positions and workforce.

Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury provincial president, said, “Currently employees come to the farm with pretty much an empty tool box, with limited skills, which is not fair on the employer or the employee. It is time that we start filling that tool box again so it becomes more interesting for the employee to execute their duties and they will be more efficient at it, while the employer will get a more involved staff member which will lead to
greater productivity”.

Mr Hurst said, “The hands-on experience really is invaluable, especially when you think of the health and safety involved and the expense of the equipment they will be working with.

You can’t really replicate that in the classroom. So the kids [in the cadetship] are going out there mentally as well as physically to do the job that will be required of them.

It’s putting them in control of their learning within an agricultural setting. We require mentally and physically fit kids, who are well-trained. It’s not a game for the faint hearted, but if they can handle it, the world is their oyster.”

Andrea Lesley, Portfolio Manager for Primary Industries at Aoraki Polytechnic said, “The Farm Cadet Programme will see students working an initial block-course in the classroom, however most of the course will be split throughout the week with three days of work placement and two days of study at the polytechnic.

Chief Executive Alex Cabrera said the institute was working with local industry and the community to ensure primary industry courses were relevant to both learners and employers.

“We believe we can better serve the people in our region by working together and by focusing on what we do well. I see the polytechnic as the vehicle for delivering better outcomes for our region.’’

Many of the courses offered at the polytechnic focus around primary industries. For instance, science and technology courses focus on these areas within a primary industries framework.

Innovation and forward thinking are crucial, Cabrera said. Courses need to be modern and relevant now and for the future. “In fact, some of the training students are undertaking now will be for jobs that will exist in the future.’’

Ben Groundwater, Investment Analyst at Craigmore Sustainables, and presenter at the Agribusiness Software Specialist event, said the Farm Cadet Programme and professional development sessions were good examples of how Aoraki Polytechnic has responded quickly to needs of business in the area.

The professional development session, run by Aoraki Polytechnic in conjunction with Lincoln University and the Primary ITO, highlighted the increasing role of software within Primary Industries, with iAgri, FarmIQ, Marmax, Cash Manager Rural, and Overseer presenting their latest applications for improved farm management.

Mr Leferink said, “We are waiting with great anticipation for the Rural Broadband Initiative and the likes to able to make effective use of all that is on offer in the Agricultural Software range.”

Veterinarian Vicky Connor said the event was a great way of maximising farmers’ precious time as it brought a number of industry players together. The set-up provided a platform for professionals to communicate directly to farmers in a coherent way.

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