Innovative cadet programme brings youth to the West Coast dairy industry
University isn't for everyone.
Providing an alternative pathway for 18-24-year-olds who want to learn, Westland Milk Products has been bringing youth
and learning into its West Coast diary co-operative for the past 10 years with a successful cadet programme in the
Primary Industries Vocational Pathway.
Reaping the rewards on both sides, the partnership is a resounding success, says Nicky Cooper, HR Training and
Development Advisor, Westland Milk Products.
"Key to its success is the focus on youth, learning and flexibility. Cadets spend approximately 18 months on a 'taste
test' of Westland's business,” says Nicky.
"We are tapping into and building on the trades academies and vocational pathways opportunities now offered to secondary
students.” Westland's cadet programme is specifically targeted at youth looking for an alternative career to the
university pathway.
Arthur Graves, the Ministry of Education’s Group Manager for Youth Guarantee said of the programme: “This sort of
collaboration between business and education will ensure that school leavers are highly skilled and ‘work ready’.
Relevancy in education is crucial, and can only be achieved when industry are actively involved in supporting curriculum
decisions. Learning happens both inside and outside of the traditional classroom.”
The cadet programme is made up of 10-week blocks of hands-on learning in the key manufacturing departments of Westland,
including a final stint in the supporting services to the company: supplier services, transport department, warehousing,
customer liaison, and sales and marketing.
"By the end of the 18 months we have a cadet who is a flexible, agile learner with a broad understanding of the entire
business and who is comfortable to move around and upwards in the company," says Nicky.
"Cadets exit the programme work ready, with a view on where they fit in the business, and are then transitioned into
permanent roles."
Most of the 16 cadets to date are currently employed at Westland with positions including supervisor, senior plant
operators and key technical roles.
The learning doesn't stop either - all cadets are expected to continue their learning by completing a Certificate in
Dairy Technology, followed by a Dairy Diploma.
Westland typically employs two cadets per year, depending on the milk solids’ payout. This year's significant drop meant
one cadet for 2015.
Successful cadets must have completed year 13 with a minimum level 2 NCEA in subjects relevant to the dairy sector,
(maths, sciences, engineering, food standards or computing).
Building on the successful cadet programme, a new Tertiary Cadet Programme was set up last year for young people with a
university degree looking to further their education in the dairy sector. This is a 12-month programme with employment
at Westland on completion.
ENDS