Whenua Whakatipu Kai Arable
Support programmes at Level 2 that are arable focussed or have a high component of arable-specific learning.
The arable workforce has been slightly increasing, but has been aging, with 38% aged 55 or over in 2020.
At the same time, learner numbers for arable-specific programmes plummeted, only starting to track back up in the last few years. However, these are still less than half of what they were in 2011.
Supporting Level 2 programmes provides an entry point into the industry.
| Number of places | Context |
|
Fund another 100 places (for a total of 555) |
We have identified a range of qualifications that are relevant to Arable including broader level 2 Agriculture, Primary Industry and Farming Skills programmes/qualifications since Arable specific programmes information is not available. In 2022, 490 learners, all trainees, enrolled themselves in these level 2 qualifications. There was a significant decrease in the number of learners between 2015 and 2018, with numbers dropping from 2,640 to just 20. The number of these learners saw a slight recovery after 2018, but there was still a significant 61% decline in the overall number of learners since 2011. Most of the qualifications do not currently have programmes being offered. We have therefore based our estimate on the New Zealand Certificate - Primary Industry Skills - Horticulture (Level 2) and New Zealand Certificate - Primary Industry Skills - Agriculture (Level 2). |
Increase workforce diversity – support programmes that improve the participation of Māori.
Māori only formed 9% of the arable workforce in 2020.