Around 100 Wairarapa high school students attended the cross-sector ‘A Day in the Field’ event to learn about the range of employment opportunities within agriculture.
Hosted at Jason Christensen’s Farm ‘Fernhill’, the ‘A Day in the Field’ event gave local Year 10 and 11 students who are thinking about their career an interactive introduction to the industry.
Students met and spoke with people working across the agricultural industry to learn about their role – be it inside, outside, hands on, hands off, or office jobs.
Attendees learned about roles ranging from contracting, environmental, finance, animal welfare, transport, fertiliser and dairy and sheep farming by moving through 20-minute demonstration stations in groups.
“A lot of students and teachers are not aware of the range of jobs that the agricultural sector can offer, or the lifestyle it can bring. This day was about changing that and hopefully helping our industry attract some bright young people into it in the near future,” says Ali Forbes the Eastern North Island B+LNZ Extension Manager.
“What is great about this day is it provides a platform for students to hear real stories from real people working in the sector and ask their questions.
“Feedback has been really positive due to how interactive it is and we have received messages from parents saying their kids came home buzzing. Building on previous years, there have been a few adjustments to the programme to improve it,” she says.
At the end of the day the students place their name badge in the bucket of the industry they are most interested in a career in and win ‘A day in the Field’ shadowing someone from their chosen industry. Encouragingly, sheep and beef was a popular choice amongst the students.
A team will be going to schools and following up with interested students about the practical next steps they can take as a pathway into their desired field.
The event was organised by a local organising committee including Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).
Learn more about B+LNZ’s commitment to people and training here.
