Aftermath of cyclone lingers in schools
A new report has revealed the full impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on Hawke’s Bay’s principals and teachers.
Dairy farmers will benefit from a new apprenticeship whose tradesmen will better design, install and maintain their milking, pumping and effluent systems.
The New Zealand Apprenticeship in Dairy Systems (Engineering), a partnership of the industry training organisation Competenz and the New Zealand Milking & Pumping Trade Association (NZMPTA), will help businesses lift employees' skills, offer long-term career paths and support farmers in keeping their equipment working year-round.
"The NZMPTA has championed an apprenticeship for the dairy industry for many years and we're thrilled that, with the expertise of Competenz, it's now in place," says NZMPTA president and country manager of Grundfos Pumps, Simon Fletcher.
The apprenticeship will lead to a national qualification which "addresses the shortage of skilled tradespeople in the milk harvesting, pumping and water application sectors of the industry," Fletcher says.
"While it's largely engineering based, the apprenticeship is in a range of skills, knowledge and workmanship. It will help the industry attract new people and offer them career paths, lift the industry's skill levels and set consistent standards.
"Employers, employees and the farming clients we work with will all benefit."
NZMPTA member Steve Bromley, of Bromley Dairy & Pumps, Feilding, says his business will sign four staff members as apprentices and recruit a new apprentice.
Competenz industry manager Peter Ferguson says the NZMPTA has helped Competenz understand the technical skills dairy technicians need to work productively and safely, and to agree on the qualification's structure and content.
Ferguson comments that apprenticeships are a structured, proven way to build skills, in which "most learning takes place on the job".
"So apprentices are gaining practical skills directly relevant to the job they're doing."
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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