The depth and breadth of job prospects in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector will be showcased at this year’s Fieldays at the Opportunity Grows Here Careers Hub.
Created from a partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Fieldays, the hub is an engaging platform for attendees to learn about food and fibre career pathways and consider joining a thriving sector.
Education providers and sector groups will team up to showcase the industries that have led New Zealand’s recovery from the global pandemic.
MPI director-general Ray Smith said primary industries have grown despite the covid-19 pandemic, with annual export revenue reaching more than $52.2 billion in the year to June 30.
This growth highlights the need for skilled food and fibre workers. Opportunity Grows Here will address this need.
“With such a key sector contributing to the New Zealand economy and the wellbeing of our rural communities, it’s important we have the necessary workforce to meet the demand,” Smith said.
The hub will help sow the seed, helping people realise that opportunities within the sector reach beyond the farmgate.
Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation said that the hub is an important part of its mission to advance agriculture.
“As the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural event, we have a duty to help future-proof the sector through educating people on where the opportunities lie in food and fibre.”
Smith said that those considering a career in food and fibre will be joining a sector they can be proud of, as New Zealand export products are highly sought after.
“New Zealand has a proud history of producing high quality, innovative, and world-class food and fibre products, with care for people and place remaining front of mind.
“We export most of what we produce, and our food is demanded and enjoyed in more than 130 countries around the world – for a small country at the bottom of the South Pacific, this is pretty impressive.”
There will be a number of activations and experiences running alongside the hub during Fieldays.
This includes a Careers Trail for visitors to follow around the Fieldays event to showcase career options and vacancies, a speaker and engagement series and a jobs board where visitors can see available food and fibre roles.
School groups that are interested in visiting Fieldays can receive the discounted entry price per student.