Jordan James won Hawke’s Bay’s Young Fruit Grower of the Year and the young horticulturist says he sees a great future for the region's burgeoning apple industry.
"Apples are huge for Hawke’s Bay," he says. "We’re exporting to countries all around the world and that provides good job security. With corporates owning and managing orchards, there’s also quite a career path in the industry. My next step is to become a foreman and there are 100 steps on the career ladder."
As an apprentice, he’s studying for the National Certificate in Horticulture (Advanced) (Fruit Production) (Level 4) through EIT. In fact, seven of the eight entrants who took part in the recent regional Young Fruit Grower competition are either studying or have completed their horticultural apprenticeships through EIT.
Working on Mr Apple’s Close Orchard at Mangateretere, the 24-year- old
also enjoys a job outdoors and working in a friendly team. All up, there are some 18 permanent staff employed on the 32ha orchard but seasonal workers take the numbers up to around 80 over harvest.
The orchard grows Pacific Rose, Pink Lady, Pacific Queen, Fuji and Lady in Red - "and Royal Gala of course, you can’t forget that old favourite".
Horticulture tutor Gordon Reid says Hawke’s Bay’s apprenticeship programme is well supported by the local industry.
"We currently have 40 students who started the programme this year and many more are into their second and final years."
A three-way partnership between apprentices, employers and EIT, the three-year part-time programme comprises on-job units, which are signed off by employers, and off-job unit standards taught by EIT.
Source: voxy.co.nz
