Apple industry keen to promote itself

Harvesting careers in pipfruit, from left, Leander Archer, Pipfruit New Zealand capability development manager Erin Simpson and Anna Cudby.

The numbers game is looming for the apple industry as it tries to meet the demand for at least 500 more jobs by 2020.

The demand comes as the record $700 million crop continues to grow, with Pipfruit New Zealand having appointed new capability development manager Erin Simpson, charged with growing and retaining young people in the apple and pear industry.

"It's an exciting time for our apple industry," Mr Simpson says, "but it's also one of the most challenging because we need to inspire people, especially our younger generation, to want to join us.

"When it comes to school leavers and graduates we are not yet seen as a great career choice," he says.

"Nothing was more evident than at the last career expo where we hosted a stand - the reality was parents and their children were not that interested in talking with us about future options in our industry. It's not just about picking bags and ladders anymore, we are creating fantastic careers right across our fully integrated industry.

"We need to work on building far stronger relationships with teachers so they are aware of all the different career pathways for their students and to ensure that schools have access to modern resources and contacts to enable students to learn more about what our industry is about today and how they can harvest their futures."

Two rising stars harvesting their futures in the apple industry are joining Mr Simpson to do a shout-out to young people.

At 25, Anna Cudby, who grew up in Tikokino, has landed her dream job with Rockit Apple, the world's first specially bred miniature apple marketed as a snack.

"Three years out of university with a degree in communications and I'm working in sales and marketing for an innovative global apple brand with international experience. Working in the apple industry is so amazing. The biggest highlight are the international relationships I'm developing, so far I've been to Europe twice and Asia three times."

Raised in Wellington, Leander Archer, 21, said she loved eating fruit and vegetables and was good at science which led her into a career working with food crops.

With a Bachelor in Agricultural Science majoring in horticulture, Miss Archer, who had a choice of four jobs, said she decided to start as a technician with AgFirst six months ago and is working in the office and field as a junior consultant.

"The amount of complexity and knowledge to grow fruit well is astounding, and I'm so excited about my prospects in this industry," she said.