Frustration agriculture not being pushed as a career

Rural Contractors New Zealand president Steve Levet is concerned educational institutions are not...
Rural Contractors New Zealand president Steve Levet is concerned educational institutions are not more actively encouraging young people to look at the agricultural sector.
Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) is questioning why more young New Zealanders are not being encouraged to take up careers in the agricultural sector.

RCNZ president Steve Levet said the industry ranked as New Zealand's most productive, innovative sector and offered a variety of career opportunities for young people.

''Despite relatively high unemployment nationally, contractors are finding it difficult to recruit skilled and motivated staff,'' Mr Levet said.

''I find it astounding that schools and other educational institutions are not more actively encouraging young people to look at the agricultural sector for career opportunities.''

He said he was concerned to hear feedback that some educators still viewed the agricultural sector as a second-class career option and only less academic pupils were encouraged to take on agriculture subjects at school.

''That really is last century thinking when you consider that people entering the agricultural sector will find progression is a given and, with shortages in the field internationally, they can end up having a global career.

''RCNZ provides a career path for young people entering our industry and there are qualifications up to diploma level, which are available to those working in our sector. A recent Federated Farmers/Rabobank 2013 Farm Employee Remuneration survey found that remuneration levels for most pastoral farm positions have continued to increase with the average farm worker now earning $5500 more than the New Zealand average annual wage.

''Agriculture is the backbone of New Zealand's economy and an industry with massive growth potential so we need our best and brightest to be working in the sector,''Mr Levet said.

''We are only too happy to assist schools and other educators to better understand what the agriculture sector has to offer students as an exciting and rewarding career opportunity,'' he said.

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