VHNZ's first 10 day Rural and Agricultural Training cohort have been enthusiastically building their agricultural skills on location, and are due to complete their unit standard assessments on October the 9th! This is an energetic group who have come from various backgrounds, and are all keen to get stuck into their 'field of choice'.
This programme has been developed in conjunction with Rural Contractors and Waikato Ministry of Social Development NZ with the purpose to support job seekers into sustainable employment within the rural and agriculture industry, and to upskill or reskill New Zealand workers to become an integral part of the national food chain supply.
A specific focus has been placed on those that have been affected by Covid-19, assisting to upskill or reskill into different industries. This programme consists of 6 days NZQA unit standards training and assessments, and 4 days agricultural machine operation training at a rural location. The cohort then is supported by MSD and Rural Contractors of NZ into paid work experience for four weeks.
A big ngÄ mihi to MSD and RCNZ, also ngÄ mihi to Karen Hocking (MSD GM of Housing) who popped by and visited the cohort on day one and shared some wisdom about the industry they are about to enter.
We were also supported by New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) and Ministry for Primary Industries, who helped to promotethe programme within their networks. And lets not forget the amazing support from Slattery Contracting Ltd (Matamata) who worked tirelessly to ensure the cohort had positive experiences throughout the programme.
And finally, thank you to Piako Tractors Morrinsville, Matamata Tractors & Machinery, Osborne Sales & Lease, and Power Farming Morrinsville who willingly supplied equipment, and agricultural machinery for use during this programme which has been incredible!
To chat to one of the VHNZ team about getting involved in further programmes, please call 0800 72 33 848 or email by clicking here.
Images:
Trainees work through their tasks around and within the rural machinery; Karen Hocking with the group of trainees, MSD reps, Helen Slattery, Rural Contractors of New Zealand Vice President and VH staff.
