Dairy Farm Opens its Gates for Hawke’s Bay Careers Day

Dairy Farm Opens its Gates for Hawke’s Bay Careers Day

Hawke’s Bay high school students have milked cows, fed calves, talked to vets and planted trees in a careers day with a twist.

About 80 students took part in an event dubbed the Dairy Day Out at Takapau on Wednesday.

“The aim of the day was to showcase the fantastic career opportunities available across the dairy sector,” said the Tertiary Education Commission’s acting chief executive Brendan Kelly.

It was hosted by the BEL Group, which milks 9,000 cows on nine dairy farms and owns a further eight support blocks.

“Most of these students are about to start choosing the subjects they’ll study in Year 11,” said the group’s HR manager Nicola Whittle.

“We want to catch them early to show them the huge variation of jobs in our sector, everything from vets to environmental planners.”

Students moved between modules representing the paddock to plate journey of dairy products and meat.

“I definitely learned a lot about the dairy and transport sectors,” said Karlie Morrison, who’s a student at Taradale High School.

“I enjoyed the hands-on modules involving the cows,” said her classmate Tayler Clare.

“Learning about the accounting aspects of agribusiness, how much farms are worth and what you can earn was really interesting.”

NZ Young Farmers played an integral role in organising the careers day.

“As a former NZ Young Farmers member, it made me proud to host the event and for our staff to be involved,” said BEL Group owner Andrea Barry.

“I think it’s important for students to see that everyone’s pathway into farming is different.”

The day involved Year 10 students from Dannevirke High School, Central Hawke’s Bay College, Flaxmere College, Taradale High School, Napier Boys’ High School and Napier Girls’ High School.

It would not have been possible without the support of multiple companies and organisations.

They are the Tertiary Education Commission, Fonterra, Primary ITO, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hastings District Council, Middle Hills Contracts Ltd, Stephenson Transport, Tararua Vets, NZ Young Farmers, Plant Hawke’s Bay Ltd, BEL Group and LIC.

ENDS

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