Photo: IGOR STEVANOVIC / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Secondary school horticulture and agribusiness programmes are seen as an integral tool for attracting more workers to primary industries.
There is a serious labour shortage in the horticulture sector, part filled by the RSE - Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, which allows for overseas recruitment for seasonal work. Another initiative is the Agribusiness in Schools programme.
It provides a pathway for students to seek tertiary training and ultimately jobs. Last year close to 11,000 students took Agriculture or Horticulture at secondary schools around the country, with a further 524 taking Agribusiness as a subject.
Kathryn talks to Hort NZ Chief Executive Nadine Tunley and also to the director of the Agribusiness in Schools programme, Craig Preston - Dr Preston heads the initiative at John McGlashan College in Dunedin.
