It is estimated that businesses there will require 1200 more people with the appropriate skills in the next three to five years.

The forum was led by an industry panel of local growers, coordinated by Activate Tarawhiti, and attended by MP for East Coast and Social Development Minister, Anne Tolley, and other interested parties.

Pickering put forward a ‘pipeline’ framework for possible solutions, such as the various transition schemes available, looking at the well-established seed programme models in Hawke's Bay, and apprenticeships. She was also able to identify and communicate some of the core systemic challenges being faced, such as qualifications development being too slow for the pace at which business works.

HortNZ says it’s offering to help with follow up to the forum to achieve the next steps.

Source: HortNZ