MPI defends cost of new biosecurity lab
The head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity operation, Stuart Anderson, has defended the cost and the need for a Plant Healht and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) being built in Auckland.
Designed to demonstrate the range of roles and opportunities available in forestry, the mostly digital ‘Find Your Fit In Forestry’ campaign is primarily targeted at school leavers and young people.
A range of videos, featuring real people working in forestry, have been created as well as a digital platform that prompts people to answer a quick-fire survey about their interests, before suggesting the areas of forestry that might fit them best.
Find Your Fit In Forestry is funded by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) and Forest Owners Association (FOA) and actioned by the Forest and Wood Processing Workforce Council.
FICA chief executive and project lead Prue Younger says the aim is to showcase the forestry industry and to attract more people into the roles that are available.
“This campaign is unique in that it is a collaboration within the wider forestry industry. We’ve made it broad enough that we hope people will see that no matter what your skills or passion are there’s a place for everyone within the industry,” she says.
“There is an ongoing shortage of skilled workers across the sector, so we’re hoping by targeting young people we can capture hearts and minds from the get-go and place people in roles that fit their interests.”
