YOUR INDUSTRY
HORTICULTURAL CAREERS CHAMPIONED Words by Glenys Christian
Austin Singh with Vijay Bhana at the Careers Expo
Over one thousand students and parents came to the Franklin Careers Expo in Pukekohe in late March, where there was plenty of information on horticultural careers on offer. It’s the fifth time the expo has been held, after being called off last year because of the Covid-19 outbreak. But with the pandemic’s impacts still being felt throughout the economy, there’s now some more interest being shown in working in the horticulture sector. “There’s some momentum building,” said Austin Singh Purewal, the 2019 Young Vegetable Grower of the Year, who was manning the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA) stand. “Horticulture is profitable and there are some solid pay packets available.” Students were expressing a lot of interest in the PVGA scholarship awarded for the first time this year to celebrate the organisation’s centenary, and there were also enquiries about what part-time jobs might be available. “They’re interested in sales and exports as well as how you get to drive the really big tractors,” he said. And packs of snacking carrots supplied by A S Wilcox as well as tomatoes from T&G Global which were on offer were well received.
Vijay Bhana, who was also on the stand, said it was good to be representing the industry to students, especially those from Pukekohe High School which both he and Austin attended. Onewhero, Tuakau and Waiuku High Schools are also involved in the expo’s organisation. Dr Raj Saini from Franklin Agritech, has come to the expo for a number of years. The one and two-year courses he offers in Pukekohe and the Bay of Plenty were able to continue online through lockdown, with the most recent January intake attracting 12 international students and five locals. But he believes more awareness is required in schools of the opportunities available in horticulture. “The perception needs to be changed,” he said. “There’s a need for more technical qualifications and skills. There are many horticultural opportunities students are overlooking.” A number of his international students had previously trained in other areas such as IT, but then were not able to find a job so turned to horticulture. Jasmett Gingla, who worked in production for six years then moved into training with Franklin Agritech, kept his message for students simple. “I say it’s the best opportunity to get balance in their lives. The jobs are here in Pukekohe. They don’t have to go into the city every day, so they can enjoy life.” NZGROWER : MAY 2021
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