Editorial: Will big be better?
OPINION: The shakeup to the science sector with the proposed merger of four ag related crown research institutes (CRIs) into one conglomerate has drawn little public reaction.
The new Primary Industry Training Organisation will be officially opened tonight (October 10).
DairyNZ says the merger of the agriculture and horticulture industry training organisations this month has real benefits for the dairy industry.
AgITO and Horticulture ITO have been merged to form the Primary Industry Training Organisation (Primary ITO).
The new organisation will be officially launched tonight at a celebration event in Wellington attended by Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce as well as industry representatives. The new ITO, which will also be responsible for water and equine industry training and NZ Sports Turf industry training, will facilitate on-the-job training for 15,000 employees across the primary industries.
DairyNZ strategy and investment leader for people and business, Dr Mark Paine (pictured) says the merger will benefit the dairy industry and continue to ensure the supply of skilled and capable people.
"The scale of a merged industry training entity will result in greater efficiencies and the ability to get increased specialisation in some areas," says Paine.
"As a larger, single body, it will be a highly valued partner with other education providers, like universities and polytechnics, with more impact in its marketing campaigns promoting training opportunities to young people.
"Scale creates possibilities and opportunities and we want to capture those for the dairy industry, as well as keep what is already good about the current system."
DairyNZ contributes more than $2 million annually to industry training.
"AgITO has historically worked closely with DairyNZ and currently has 4160 dairy trainees participating in on-farm training, forming the largest segment of total trainees (62%).
"Over the past year, there has been a 14% increase in the number of trainees in the dairy sector. We are confident the Primary ITO will build on this success and maintain a close relationship with DairyNZ.
"We will ensure, on behalf of dairy farmers, the customisation of industry training services to dairy is enhanced, not diminished, as a result of the merger."
Fieldays 2025 opens this week with organisers saying the theme, 'Your Place', highlights the impact the event has on agriculture both in the Southern Hemisphere and across the globe.
Sam Carter, assistant manager for T&G's Pakowhai Sector, has been named the Hawke's Bay 2025 Young Grower of the Year.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…
OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…