Dairy lifestyle attracts newcomers to GoDairy

Words by: I Heather Donaldson t’s been exciting to help introduce Kiwis to dairy farming as a career option through DairyNZ’s GoDairy training. The free, three-week GoDairy Farm Ready Training was launched in June Some have never been on a farm, while others have a rural background or family/ friends on farms. I’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm the participants have to find a job and get out onfarm. They particularly like the idea of working with animals and being outdoors every day. Many have also said they think dairy offers a good and offers Kiwis who have had lifestyle for their family. their employment affected They have been asking a lot of by Covid-19 the chance to questions – from how cows think get into a dairy career. As a and act, to expectations onfarm, consulting officer, I’ve been how farmers reduce their impact on involved in facilitating online the environment, and how to find training sessions giving people a good boss. an overview of the dairy sector Over the coming few and what working on a farm Heather Donaldson. months,there will be a growing involves. The online sessions are followed number of GoDairy graduates – and other by two weeks of practical training covering Kiwis – coming to farms to start work. animal handling and care, and safe farm As well as working as a consulting officer, vehicle operation. I’m a contract milker with my husband

So far, a really wide range of people have Craig in South Canterbury. We’ve been taken part in the training – including IT involved in training quite a few new staff professionals, tourism workers, mums and this has taught me that learning never caring for children and former airline staff. stops.

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Every farm has its own systems and processes, so taking time to explain to new staff how you do things is vital, regardless of their level of experience. There is a lot to take in during the first few days, so we try to follow up a couple of days after discussing a new task. This is a way to check they understand what needs to be done and are doing it correctly. If you have a new starter onfarm and want to know how you can support them, then visit dairynz.co.nz/onboarding. Good onboarding is also about being a good boss.

DairyNZ has an exciting competition under way where you can win some great prizes by telling us what it means to be a good boss; visit dairynz.co.nz/goodboss

Farmers wanting to employ a career changer, or see if staff employed after 1 May 2020 qualify for the free Farm Ready Training, can visit dairynz.co.nz/godairy. People interested in joining the GoDairy training can see www.godairy.co.nz

Heather Donaldson, DairyNZ Consulting Officer, Canterbury.

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