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

Dairy power

OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.

Inequality 'is on the rise'

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub is warning that inequality between countries has fallen markedly over the past 200 years but inequality and political polarisation within countries was on the rise.

Featured

Farmers will adapt amid global trade turmoil

New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.

National

Machinery & Products

Amazone extends hoe range

With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals,…

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Dairy power

OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter