Monday, 27 March 2023 11:52

Farmers challenged to consider future workplaces

Written by  Staff Reporters
Speakers at the recent People Expo. Speakers at the recent People Expo.

A leading economist says the dairy sector needs to make jobs more attractive in order to keep people in the jobs.

Shamubeel Eaqub, from Sense Partners, was speaking at the People Expos run by DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network earlier this month when he made the comments.

“The world is shifting, and it is shifting for everyone,” Eaqub says. “It has never been harder to find labour and it isn’t just dairy experiencing this.”

He says other sectors are doing anything and everything they can to attract labour, and the long-term issues each sector is experiencing have been around for decades.

“It’s on us to consider how we can step up and support the people that are working in your teams and businesses.

“Let’s reframe the conversation to think about how we can make the jobs more attractive, to keep people in the sector,” Eaqub says.

He says the sector needs to give people a compelling proposition, training, and career progression opportunities to encourage them to join and stay in the sector.

Aaron Jay, HortUs, provided an external perspective to those attending the People Expos, discussing how he was able to develop a high-performing business built on and for people and providing relevant takeaways for farmers to apply their individual teams.

“It is important to acknowledge your strengths and have your team supporting you with the expertise and knowledge that you do not have,” says Jay.

He says employers need to remember the reason why their employees turn up for work each day.

“You need to understand what success means for them and to you, and to shift your business strategy so you can find success for everyone,” says Jay.

“As we look forward, you have to determine if you are going to participate or not. Making the decision that you are here, and that you want to attract and retain really good people for your business, is a critical starting point.”

More like this

DairyNZ plantain trials cut nitrate leaching by 26%

DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.

Featured

'One more push' to eliminate FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

National

Machinery & Products

New McHale terra drive axle option

Well-known for its Fusion baler wrapper combination, Irish manufacturer McHale has launched an interesting option at the recent Irish Ploughing…

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Tough times

OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.

MSA triumph

OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter