Filling the job deficit

On their stand at the recent Hawkes Bay A&P show, Dean Smith – HBFA business and engagement manager – was kept busy talking to young people and their parents and others about the great career opportunities that the sector has to offer. MPI’s Jackie Davis was also on the stand as part of the ministry’s programme to highlight the exciting jobs in the primary sector.

A major push at the show was to get people to attend an expo – ‘Pick the Bay’ – which is designed to mobilise the local workforce ahead of the harvest season. More than 20 growers were involved in expo, ranging from the larger corporate growers to the small owner operators.

Also supporting the event were the local Napier and Hastings councils, along with Te Pūkenga – NZ Institute of Skills and Technology. The latter organisation is mobilising students from local secondary schools and the institute itself.

Smith told Hort News that there is a labour shortage in Hawkes Bay and while some use is made of RSE workers, the local hort sector very much needs local labour to harvest the various fruit crops and produce grown in the region. He says the objective of the HB Fruitgrowers Association is to try to create aspirational pathways for young people to enter the industry.

“At the show we have had a lot on inquiries from young people and yes we have given away a lot of apples. I think there is a feeling of pride within the region for horticulture and the fruit growing industry,” Smith says. “We had good conversations with some young people about the opportunities over their holidays.”

A Long Proud History

The Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers Association was established in 1899 and for more than 120 years it has represented the interests of the region’s growers.

Smith says the organisation has naturally changed over the years with more corporate and fewer small growers. However, he says its core objectives of protecting, fostering and promoting that remain unchanged.

“We are pan sector, meaning we are not just a pipfruit organisation,” he told Hort News. “We don’t just represent summer fruit; we also have members who include berry and kiwifruit growers and the whole gamut of fruit growing.

“We advocate on behalf of our members but we play an active role in career progression including running the local Hawkes Bay Fruitgrower of the Year. We also arrange different social catch-ups for people in the industry and through our charitable trust offer scholarships to students and celebrate those at an annual industry awards night.”

Smith says they are now working closely with MPI and tapping into its programmes and networks. The aim being to connect with key influences – namely parents and teachers – and educate them about the amazing career opportunities in the sector.

“Things that people seldom think about such as flying drones to assess crops and forests,” Smith adds. “Being at the Hawkes Bay show was all part of this process.”