Staff changes to keep training relevant

Agriculture ITO’s staff changes designed to keep training relevant and effective

Large scale change and increasing demand for training integrated with agribusiness systems has led to restructuring and role changes in the Timaru office of the Agriculture Industry Training Organisation.

Agriculture ITO develops and manages industry-based national qualifications. The need to keep abreast of the industry’s changing requirements has resulted in the appointment of high-achieving North Otago training adviser Chrissy Williams to a national team involved in product development.

The appointment was announced this week by Agriculture ITO territory manager for Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury and North Otago, Kevin Scannell.

“Chrissy’s new role reflects our emphasis on delivering what the industry needs,” Kevin said.

“We’re seeing some major changes happening in dairy, with the growth of large farms, increased pressure on the environment, and greater need for quality.

“Chrissy’s experience as a successful dairy farmer and tutor will bring a new level of expertise to our farm training system.”

Chrissy is well known in the district for leading and mentoring farmers to achieve national qualifications. She says her new role as a product development adviser, based in Timaru would bring greater input from the “front line” of farming into Agriculture ITO’s learning programmes.

Agriculture was an evolving science with changing demands in training, she said.

“We need to ensure we keep pace with those changes and provide qualifications that are relevant to the market and to farmers.

“The new regional focus in product development means I am just five minutes from farmers and can discuss their feedback on how we might best help their industry.”

Chrissy has a degree in agricultural science from Massey University, majoring in animal production and farm management. She was a tutor with Agribusiness Training and Aoraki Polytechnic for more than 12 years and joined Agriculture ITO in 2007.

Taking her place is former customer relationship adviser Staz Davey, who joined Agriculture ITO last year.

“I know what it’s like trying to study while you’re in fulltime work,” Staz said.

“And I know my new territory well because as a former wool rep with PGG Wrightsons I travelled to the same properties I’ll now be visiting to advise on farm training.”

The new customer relationship adviser in Timaru is Erin Todd, and completing the team is South Canterbury adviser Jock McKeown.

Kevin Scannell said Agriculture ITO’s world class training system helps businesses improve productivity by supporting skill and knowledge application at all levels of the business. Having key staff was crucial to managing this system, which covers the agriculture and water industries.

The Timaru Agriculture ITO team welcomes inquiries to freephone 0800 691 111.

ENDS

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