NZ's handbrake
OPINION: Your old mate gets the sinking feeling that no matter who we vote into power in the hope they will reverse the terminal slide the country is in, there will always be a cohort of naysayers determined to hold us back.
“Agriculture today has many career options for young people, ... and dairy technology has been at the cusp of innovation and growth. But to maintain that momentum we need the brightest and best. Investing in those young people is an investment in the future of this company, New Zealand agriculture and the economy.
“[About] 100 graduates enter New Zealand primary industries each year but we need ten times that if the sector… is to achieve its potential.”
Waikato Milking Systems is a partner in the St Paul’s College centre for excellence. It has hosted visits from senior St Paul’s faculty and current Year 13 students.
The school’s principal, Grant Lander, says much of the agribusiness curriculum development has been with agri organisations, universities and business. “Everyone is excited at what we have done so far and what we can still achieve…. we’re helping create something of national significance – innovative and ground breaking.”
Lander says secondary schools lack a structured, national programme to encourage students to study agricultural science and business in preparation for their tertiary study.
