Our sector has a strong history of developing young people who love working with plants and building their skills and knowledge. We are working with our members, industry partners, tertiary providers and the Government to reignite the training programmes and qualifications that have been so important to our sector.  

With about 4000 people employed in our sector and many unfilled jobs, there are plenty of opportunities for people to join our industry and pursue an exciting and rewarding career. 

We work with other primary organisations to identify the best structures for horticultural vocational eduction.

This work includes:

• Advocating for industry qualifications to ensure that they are relevant
• Promoting free apprenticeships and scholarships
• Supporting our emerging leaders on a strong career path.

To find out more, visit the Plant Careers Website.

The Young Plant Producer competition recognises the best young people in our sector and enables them to take the next step in their personal and career development.

The two-day event pushes entrants to learn valuable new skills, gives them exceptional networking opportunities with industry leaders, and a boost to their careers. Each year our Young Plant Producer joins the winners of other horticulture industry competitions in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year.

Check out the Young Plant Producer website for more information and how and when to enter.

In July 2022, we announced the establishment of the Carol Fraser Industry Training Award (Fraser Award) in memory of Carol Fraser who founded Growing Spectrum with her husband Peter.

Carol, who played an extremely active role in industry training and the professional development of plant producers. This scholarship continues Carol’s educational legacy through its support of those outstanding individuals who have a passion for plants, for training and education, and for our industry.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been specifically designed for the food and fibre sector.

The programme develops food and fibre sector leaders with the skills, confidence, awareness, and networks to think and act strategically. It is for farmers, foresters, fishers, producers, growers, and agri-professionals who have a desire to contribute to their rural community, food and fibre production, processing, or profession.

NZ Plant Producers at Grow Ōtautahi

17 Mar 2021

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NZ Plant Producers was on a combined stand with Horticulture New Zealand and the PrimaryITO, talking to garden enthusiasts about the career and training opportunities available within our industry.

This was a very well organised event by the Grow Ōtautahi team, in a stunning and welcoming space, with a huge turnout and sunshine provided by Christchurch. We met more than 1000 people from all walks of life who are interested in learning more about the career opportunities in the industry and what NZ Plant Producers does as an industry body.

It is good to see so many young people that interested in learning more about the training options available to them throughout New Zealand, keen to spend every day working with plants as a career.

On Friday 12 March NZ Plant Producers also hosted a social evening targeted towards nursery employees eligible for our 2021 Young Achiever of the Year Competition. This was an awesome way for us to meet young nursery workers and talk to you about NZ Plant Producers, what we do. and what we have planned for the year.

Feedback from this evening was positive, and those who attended were grateful to have met some new faces in the industry and have conversations around how they were finding life in a nursery, what their job entailed, and the challenges of completing their apprenticeships. It was nice for us to meet all that attended and start to compile a list of young workers who are keen to be the next generation in the industry and take part in more social events in the future.

 

 

 

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