Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced a series of initiatives to fill critical jobs in the food and fibre sector.
The Government-backed initiatives include $240,000 funding for an on-the-job mentoring programme, funding for two horticulture career development managers in Pukekohe and Canterbury, the establishment of a Food and Fibre Youth Network and Innovation Activator workshops with Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ).
“These initiatives follow work we’ve already done over the past eight months through the Opportunity Grows Here campaign and training initiatives that’s resulted in 3,694 more people working in the food and fibre sector,” O’Connor says.
He says the mentoring programme is a good example of how Government is partnering with the industry.
The programme will be delivered by agricultural work specialists, HanzonJobs and targets job seekers affected by Covid-19, Ministry of Social Development clients, and 18-24-year-olds who aren’t in education, employment or training.
“The Food and Fibre Youth Network and Council will provide a formal pan-sector youth voice to raise matters such as workforce issues and provide input into critical decisions to guide the future of the sector.”
O’Connor says there’s ‘no shortage’ of talented people in rural communities.
“The Activator sessions provide the opportunity for rural women to have intensive, mentor-led sessions with experts to help bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life.
“By harnessing these ideas and helping to get them off the ground, we will be building capability within the sector, and future employment opportunities.”
O’Connor says the investments will move the country along the Fit for a Better World Roadmap, which aims to accelerate the primary sector’s economic potential.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
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