Currently, trainees undergo on-the-job training in the business they work for, and generally, do not have the opportunity to work with other trainees or gain wider specialist advice. This new initiative plans to incorporate this, and includes tutor-led group learning with practical application, field trips, and in-house training.

The programme aims to be the pilot for a more cross-employer-led approach, with the pilot planned to be ready by the end of this year. Trainees will be encouraged towards entry in the Young Grower of the Year and the programme will contribute to building up the Young Grower network in Canterbury.

The new Canterbury Young Vegetable Grower of the Year competition coordinator, Allen Lim, got the group together with a visit to MG Marketing on 18 October with recent HortNZ leadership programme graduate, Anne Hahn.

Source: HortNZ