For Immediate Release
16 June 2008
Dairy Industry Pathway Attracts Top Recruits
The pathway of progression in the dairy industry is attracting talented recruits that are quickly proving their
abilities, by winning awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
Awards Convenor Chris Keeping says there had been a noticeable jump in the numbers of entrants in the awards – and
winners – from people who had switched careers to dairying.
“The industry is certainly attracting some talented people who are quickly gaining the necessary skills and attributes
to do well.”
Ms Keeping says about one-third of the 36 finalists in the 2008 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards had switched careers
to become dairy farmers, a sign that campaigns to attract good people to the industry for financial and lifestyle reward
were paying off.
“In the top award – the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year – half of the finalists in the 2008 competition were recent
recruits and included former accountants, teachers, civil/structural designers, retail assistants, and agricultural
engineers.
“We also had former courier drivers, hair dressers, electricians, and research technicians among the finalists.
“The dairy industry has always been known as the farming sector that provides a well trodden career pathway for young
dairy farmers to progress through the industry to ultimately achieve their goals.”
Ms Keeping says the Dairy Industry Awards developed its byline ‘Passion for Progression’, as it accurately reflects that
those who enter in the awards have the passion that will ensure their progression in dairying.
“This year’s finalists were highly motivated and moving extremely quickly through the industry –one sharemilker finalist
had been dairy farming for just two years!”
The winners in the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy
Trainee of the Year were announced at a dinner in Christchurch on May 24.
The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra,
Honda, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, and RD1, along with industry partner Agriculture ITO.
Entries in the 2009 Dairy Industry Awards open in November this year.
ENDS