Indevin Gisborne - Learning on the job

"We need to provide these opportunities to new people coming in who will take over when the current generation of experience moves on to retirement."

Tim has been involved in training team members for more than 20 years and currently has three employees learning toward a new Primary ITO New Zealand programme - the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Horticulture Production (Wine Growing). "My experience is that many people I work with here may not have found their future pathway at school. We find ways to help them so they can achieve."

As well as support from experienced staff members, learners and employers are supported by a Primary ITO training advisor with regular contact and site visits. Training Advisor Wayne West says Indevin is an example of an employer who is invested in growing the skills of team members and providing opportunities for them to learn and advance. "We support the company by providing an encouraging environment where learnes can succeed. We want them to have a positive experience so they can build confidence and knowledge and ultimately achieve a qualification."

Indevin also partners with Gisborne Boys' High School to give students vineyard work experience, and employs school leavers and university students during the summer holidays and busy season. Its three learners in the new programme began with school holiday jobs but chose other careers before returning to Indevin. Lucas Westend started out leaf plucking and mowing at Indevin in his holidays, later completing the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture Level 2 and 3 and gaining experience in farming before returning to Indevin in 2020. "I came back because I enjoyed operating tractors and fencing and there were opportunities here to continue that. Back here I really enjoyed the maintenance work and wire lifting, fixing wires and replacing posts with the grape work." He is enjoying learning about soils, plant development and the process from grape to wine production through the ITO programme. "It leads on from what I studied in agriculture, and I love learning off those who have been here many years and have a lot of experience."

Twin brothers Kaleb and Daniell Hare both returned to Indevin after taking different career paths after leaving school. Kaleb lost his carpentry job due to Covid-19 in 2020 and then took the vineyard job. He likes the variety of work and building skills in new areas which keeps it interesting. "It is easy to learn because there are knowledgeable people here who teach us, and it is a positive culture so that keeps you feeling supported."