Four Rotorua workers part of new programme to guarantee full-time work

Roy Paul says he is looking forward to moving away from labour work and up the management ladder in his new job. Photo / Andrew Warner

Gold and green are the colours of wealth but some may question how, for 29 people, it has come in the form of kiwifruit.

Rotorua man Roy Paul has been working in the kiwifruit orchards in Paengaroa since October and has been offered a permanent full-time contract now the summer pruning season is over.

But Paul says the opportunity wouldn't have been possible without a new programme set up by the Ministry of Social Development and local kiwifruit contractor, Luciano Garcia, to support and retain workers.

Starting this week, the programme has offered 29 people, who were previously unemployed, full-time jobs, training and the opportunity to seek industry qualifications.

Paul had been unemployed for 1-1/2 years and said the job and now guaranteed security of the contract, had made everyday life easier.

"We were struggling," Paul said, who felt he was not able to provide for his 14-year-old moko, and would sometimes not be able to put food on the table.

"Now they have new uniforms, new stationery, and can go into town," he said.

But there were more benefits to the job than relief of financial pressure, the 55-year-old said.

He said the programme would help him upskill and he was looking to climb the management ladder as he wanted to move out of labour-work.

"Being here is opening doors for me, they've seen skills in me I didn't even know I had."

To get to work every day, Paul drives a van, subsidised by the MSD, with four other Rotorua workers and one from Te Puke to work.

Paul said the van itself was extremely important in getting them to work and helping turn his life around.

MSD regional labour market manager Brent MacDonald said the programme was the first of its kind and they had helped several people in summer pruning work move into full-time permanent positions.

The contract at Garcia Contracting Services would guarantee all workers a minimum of 60 hours per fortnight of work in the kiwifruit industry, which was heavily dependant on weather.

MacDonald said they were also working on developing their positive work culture in an effort to retain staff and grow their business.

He said training would cover a range of topics, from first-aid and drivers licensing, to skills such as conflict resolution.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for our clients who want to be working outside, in a good team and with guaranteed hours of pay," MacDonald said.

"We are looking forward to seeing where this goes in the future."