Waikato Business News August/September 2020

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18 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS August/September 2020 Training course opens gate for townies By RICHARD WALKER A Cambridge firm has come up with an innovative response to the looming shortfall of workers confronting agricultural contractors. With harvesting season close and borders largely closed to the migrant workforce, Ag Drive has started a training programme for Waikato people wanting a start in the industry. They are taking on trainees who have lost jobs or been disrupted by Covid-19, with the students funded on short courses by the Social Development Ministry. Ag Drive is also offering private training courses after contractors expressed a high level of interest in the scheme, which may be a first for New Zealand. In the past, the industry has largely brought in migrants, particularly from Ireland, Europe and Australia, to deal with seasonal harvesting, but with Covid-19 border disruptions Ag Drive’s offering is timely. “There’s a massive gap in that industry at the moment,” business development manager Vinette Wilken says. “All the contractors we go and speak to say this should have been out there a long time ago.” It also represents an elegant solution for Ag Technology Group, which established Ag Drive during lockdown when its supply of work from German manufacturer Claas slowed. Ag Technology tests and does R&D on Claas agricultural machinery including tractors, in both New Zealand and Germany on a seasonal rotation. Then “Covid happened”, Wilken says. “We had all these staff, and normally they would travel abroad and they couldn’t because they couldn’t fly out. So that’s where the idea came up to start the training side.” Staff are now working as Ag Drive tutors while waiting to head to Germany for the new season, and the company is recruiting replacement tutors, including newly appointed Ag Drive manager Gareth Wild, who will be the main classroom tutor. The company has also moved into new Hautapu premises, which include a classroom and space for tractors where trainees get their first sight of the machines before putting theory into practice on a Matangi paddock. Sponsorship means they have the latest tractors to train on. The trainees come from diverse backgrounds and have included a pilot and a builder along with some from office jobs. They are taken through everything from safety and health to road rules and using attachments, trailers, and the power take-off shaft. Once they’re out on the paddock, they have different farm-related tasks to complete, as well as an obstacle course to manoeuvre the tractor through. The Ministry-funded course has been boosted from one week to two as the company continues to adapt with a view to a long-term offering that goes beyond the demands of Covid-19. Intakes so far have varied between eight and 10 students, with five tutors. Southern Institute of Technology has introduced a similar six-week course, but Ag Drive general manager Janine Peters says they went for a shorter sharper course because they couldn’t accommodate huge numbers for six weeks. “And we didn’t really have six weeks to get a number of people out into the contracting season starting very soon.” The courses represent a foot in the door for graduates who can then expect further on-the-job training from the contractor. “They’re not going to be experts by any stretch of the imagination,” Peters says. “They’re going to be still at entry level. But at least they are aware of all the health and safety aspects, they know how to put the implements on and take them off, they can drive a tractor, and then the rest of the learning is going to have to be on the job. “We’ve given them [the Ministry] some good selection criteria, because it’s a tricky industry to be in. It’s long hours, seasonal. It’s not for everybody.” Peters says Ag Drive, because they know the contractors, are actively working Practical experience out in the field. to get graduates placed, with Wilken saying many are finding work. “We’re also trying to engage with the horticultural industry because they’re going to be running into the same sorts of problems,” Peters says. “So we’re pivoting as we go.” At level 2, they are practising social distancing, and are putting in plans that they hope will enable them to continue operating should the region face level 3. AgDrive is not yet NZQA accredited but has worked closely with Wintec in setting up the course. “They were very helpful, and they’re still mentoring us all the way through the process as well,” Peters says. She says the Rural Contractors Association recently said the coming harvest season would be short of about 3000 workers, and many of those will need to be experienced operators. “So there’s still going to be a gap. But we’re hoping that at least we can help, and perhaps encourage a whole lot of New Zealanders into a different field they’ve never thought about before.” It is also possible, she says, that the course could become a useful introduction to New Zealand conditions, including road rules, once contractors start arriving from overseas again. Business development manager Vinette Wilken. BEWARE OF FOREIGN IMITATIONS. There’s no shortage of great ideas in New Zealand. But for an innovative bunch, we’re not the best at realising the full potential of our innovations, particularly when exporting them. At James & Wells, we can identify your competitive edge, offer business strategies for specific markets and help you own and leverage your intellectual property to ensure no one steals the fruit of your labour. www.jaws.co.nz | +64 7 957 5660
CAMBRIDGE 19 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS August/September 2020 Cambridge is buoyant. Photo: Cambridge News Growing Cambridge draws strong interest By KELLY BOUZAID - CEO, CAMBRIDGE BUSINESS CHAMBER By all accounts here and now, Cambridge is presenting well with buoyancy in retail, property and customer spend overall. That said, healthy surface-level business activity doesn’t mask the future-facing concerns around the impact of Covid-19. The Bellwether pedestrian counter in our main street has shown great growth year on year, over the last two months. Our residents and businesses have an appetite for supporting local and carparking is once again at a premium! Since lockdown, we have seen the few shops that vacated, quickly re-tenanted. We have strong interest from both city dwellers considering a more rural lifestyle and ex-pats considering their next move to rural New Zealand. Pre-Covid, Waipā was focused on infrastructure investment to meet the anticipated growth so, once lured, the Waipā district is well poised to provide accommodation, school and employment opportunities. Cambridge is currently the highest growth area in the Waipā district and plans are already well advanced to open up three growth cells to the west of the town. When complete, the new areas will accommodate 2500 houses, a new 1000-pupil primary school and a range of commercial areas including a large supermarket. Waipā District Council chief executive Garry Dyet was recently quoted saying: “We know that Cambridge will continue to grow because people quite simply want to live there – and we’re obliged to provide for that. So these developments need to proceed, not just to cater for growth but because they will drive critically needed economic activity in our district as we look to rebuild and recover from Covid-19.” Investment in road and rail within the region continues to unlock our district, socially and economically further enhancing Waipa’s appeal. All very positive signs for the road to recovery, not to mention Cambridge is a finalist in the “Most Beautiful Large Town” category and “Best Street” in the 2020 Awards. Cambridge has not only demonstrated its community values during a crisis but has also shown resilience and innovation. The Cambridge Business We know that Cambridge will continue to grow because people quite simply want to live there – and we’re obliged to provide for that. Kelly Bouzaid. Chamber is in a privileged position to work with such a diverse group of businesses. We are a strong and vibrant Chamber dedicated to the overall well being of our community through advocacy towards a healthier economy. No other organisation represents the business community like a Chamber of Commerce. If you are thinking about opening a business here in Cambridge, give us a call, you’ll be pleased you did. We Develop And Project Manage your Commercial Construction Projects. Forming strong client relationships, our experienced team utilises innovative project management techniques, minimising cost, maximising quality, and ensuring timely delivery, while adding exceptional value to property assets. Proud locals supporting local. DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECT MANAGERS: 142 Ossie James Drive, Rukuhia Design & Build Project Management Construction Management Development Management Feasibility Studies Cost Consultancy Development & Project Management Level 1, 3/48 Empire Street, Cambridge Phone 07 823 0331 constructionadvantage.co.nz
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Waikato Business News August/September 2020

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