Aoraki supports dairy industry across the supply chain   14 Jan 2015

Aoraki Polytechnic

Aoraki supports dairy industry across the supply chain

If you thought farming was only about cows in fields, take a look at how technology plays a major role.

Primary Industries – horticulture, agriculture, and dairying – are the backbone of our region’s economy, and Chief Executive Alex Cabrera says the polytechnic is working with local industry and the community to ensure primary industry courses are relevant to both learners and potential employers.

“We’ve looked at what’s needed right now, and where the opportunities are going to be next”, said Cabrera.

“We believe we can better serve the people in our region by working together and by focusing on what we do well. I see the polytechnic as the vehicle for delivering better outcomes for our region’’, he said.

2015 will see the introduction of several new qualifications to ensure people entering or currently involved with the dairy industry have the opportunity to upskill, developing confidence and capability.

Portfolio Manager, Andrea Leslie is positive that the portfolio mix is developing in the right direction.

“From growing grass to processing milk products, Aoraki Polytechnic is aligning its portfolio to meet the educational needs of the dairy sector across the supply chain.

“We now have the correct focus to ensure we are developing and offering programmes that meet the needs of the primary industries.

“We received the backing of Dairy NZ and Federated Farmers last year for Aoraki to be a hub for Primary Industries. This support is very encouraging, and strengthens the work that we are doing.

“We are very keen to talk with people from all sectors of primary industry as the opportunities for Aoraki Polytechnic to enhance that which is already great about our region are endless.”

Commencing in February 2015, the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture is to be offered as a cadetship programme. Students will start with a thirteen week intensive introduction to vehicles, machinery and infrastructure, all with an emphasis on safety. From there students will commence the cadet programme, being placed on farms for the majority of the time, with time each week in the learning environment to give them a chance to brush up on their knowledge.

Additionally for those already working in the primary industry sector, the New Zealand Diploma in Agribusiness Management is available. This programme is offered as a blended delivery model which means learners can study through a mix of workshops with other agribusiness decision makers, access tutorials, keynote speakers, online materials, and one-on-one time with a dedicated facilitator. Feedback from this programme which first commenced in July of last year has been outstanding.

Moving along the supply chain, Aoraki Polytechnic plans to provide qualifications in transport and logistics. The commencement of truck driver training in February will enable the fast tracking of qualifications, ensuring that within a year, those starting with a full car licence can complete their class 5, along with gaining skills in fork and hazardous goods. The qualifications are being developed in direct response to an identified skills shortage of suitably qualified truck drivers due to an aging workforce, and a desire to lift the professional image of careers in the transport industry.

Operations Manager Garry Aitken from Temuka Transport said, “Our district has the biggest demand on drivers per head of population than just about anywhere in the country. Right now, collectively we are probably looking at a shortfall of 50 drivers within our hub. With the average age of class 5 drivers at 57, we need to prepare for the future and have people trained and ready to fill these jobs.”

Further still, a new engineering-based qualification at Aoraki Polytechnic will produce graduates with the skills to work on today’s high-tech dairy farms. The polytechnic is proposing the New Zealand Certificate in Dairy Systems (Engineering Level 4), with strands in Milking Systems and Pumping Systems. This unique qualification will provide the dairy industry with much needed tradespeople who have the multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills to work in this niche industry.

Aoraki is working with Grow Mid Canterbury, Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to explore ways to address skills shortages in the dairy industry.

Aoraki Polytechnic is working with local dairy companies, including Oceania Dairy, Synlait, Westland Milk and Fonterra, on delivery options to support the learning of those both already in the industry and for those wishing to enter at their various dairy operations.

Representatives from dairy companies met with Aoraki Polytechnic management recently to discuss qualifications available and what more could be done locally.

While training models are currently in existence they present some challenges such as the cost to send people to the North Island.

Aoraki Polytechnic Portfolio Manager for Primary Industry, Andrea Leslie said the discussions have been very successful and a preliminary proposal is now being prepared.

A number of new qualifications are now on the NZQA framework from a Level 3 Certificate in Dairy Processing, right through to the New Zealand Diploma in Dairy Processing.

There was discussion around several potential delivery methods of each of these qualifications. Also highlighted was the need to attract people into the industry. A modest estimate is 500 people are needed in the Aoraki region alone in the next five years.

Additionally the industry group identified the need for qualifications to be available in the areas of boilers, automation and forklift driving.

It is planned that the new dairy processing qualifications will be ready to deliver in July 2015.

A scholarship is available for students who plan to study Primary Industries or Trades programmes at Aoraki Polytechnic.

Aoraki is offering Return to Study Scholarships for Primary Industries and Trades to encourage mature students either returning to formal education after a long absence, or who have never previously had the opportunity to undertake further study.

ENDS

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