New rural wellbeing project
A newly launched collaborative rural wellbeing recovery project aims to help rural communities across the North Island to come together through a series of in-person events and programmes this summer.
Researched, designed and delivered by the Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT), ‘Generation Change’ is a one-day workshop and mentoring programme preparing young women for meaningful work in the food and fibre sector.
Following a successful online pilot in March with 50 women, the programme is now set for a series of face-to-face events over the next 15 months, starting in Palmerston North on 2 August.
AWDT general manager Lisa Sims says the programme supports young women to find their purpose and bring their true selves, perspectives and ideas to the sector to drive change.
“It’s for young women in any type of tertiary study or training who are curious about a career in any part of the primary sector supply and value chains, from the farm or orchard to marketing, tech support and shipping,” she says.
The workshop covers four key areas, with participants reflecting on their values, strengths and purpose, as well as exploring the mega trends shaping the sector’s future. Participants will also plan a meaningful career and connect with sector leaders, including a mentor, Sims says.
The first programme’s pilot mentoring programme has seen 50 mentoring relationships established between programme participants and leaders from the AWDT, Rural Leaders NZ and NZ Young Farmers networks.
Generation Change pilot participant and Lincoln University PhD student Victoria Agyepong has used the programme to establish a primary sector network, and start a social enterprise to improve educational and development outcomes for New Zealand’s immigrant workforce.
“As a young mum who had just immigrated to New Zealand while figuring out my PhD, I was completely overwhelmed with my new life,” she says.
“My mentor, Janine Alfeld, has helped me develop organisational, leadership and policy skills to balance work, life and study, and understand the NZ context.”
Agyepong says she is happy to be working to create career advocates through an online mentoring and peer learning platform for immigrants with families.
“My mentor’s attentive, empathetic and knowledgeable approach to my career development helped me achieve my goals.”
Generation Change is co-funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries and AGMARDT through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, and supported by amp’d Careers.
Young women currently in tertiary study or training who are interested in ‘Generation Change’ should visit www.awdt.org.nz/generation-change-2/
Generation Change will be held at the Palmerston North Conference & Function Centre on 2 August 2022 and is open to any woman in tertiary study or training.
