City technology makes career planning easy in the country
DairyNZ has launched a career development tool that uses simple technology to bring career planning in the dairy industry to life.
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The Minister of Agriculture David Carter (seated) explores the Career Pathways tool at today's launch, watched by DairyNZ Chair John Luxton, DairyNZ developer Samantha Palmer and DairyNZ Chief Executive Tim Mackle |
Launched today by the Minister of Agriculture David Carter, the Career Pathways tool includes career planning resources, creates customised career maps and simplifies the process of learning about on-farm and near-farm positions. All via a portable USB flash drive.
“Skilled people are increasingly important on-farm and in the industry,” says DairyNZ Strategy and Investment Leader for People and Business, Dr Mark Paine.
“Career Pathways is a first for our industry. It is a tool that will open doors to a career in dairy for talented people and it will help those already in the industry to work towards their aspirations and realise a rewarding career in dairying.”
Career Pathways developer Samantha Palmer believes there is nothing else like it in agriculture – and possibly across all industries in New Zealand.
“It’s unique – it takes employees and shows them every job available to them, their skills are assessed and any training requirements are identified. It then maps out a career plan for the next five to 10 years,” says Samantha. “For example, if you have a family and time with them is important, the Career Pathways tool will help you identify the jobs that fit with that priority.”
The programme operates by USB flash drive, only needing an internet connection for registration.
“The entire programme works off the flash drive, so there’s no reliance on the internet and no need to worry about slow dial-up, which is a primary concern for most dairy farmers,” says Samantha.
Once inserted into a computer, the flash drive automatically launches the Career Pathways programme, which looks and functions just like an interactive website.
However unlike a website, Career Pathways quickly becomes a personalised career planning tool.
Samantha says the software is designed to be unique to its user, through a simple process of steps which evaluate where you are now and where you want to – or could be – in the future.
Created for all people involved in dairy farming, regardless of their age or career goals the Career Pathways tool has been designed so that it can be used over and over again. People can revisit their career plans as circumstances change, goals are achieved or when aspirations and goals need to be redefined.
Users can ‘explore their options’ both on-farm and near-farm, learning more about the roles, necessary qualifications, and get an insight into the everyday work through real-life profiles on video.
A series of simple assessments help the user to ‘discover who I am’ – evaluating skills, goals, core values and other key personal qualities.
The resulting interactive career map provides relevant career options, helps set goals and creates a training plan to work towards.
Designed to help employers too, Career Pathways identifies employees’ key strengths and skills, what motivates them, their ambitions and potential training needs.
The resources section helps develop a CV, build strong financial skills or develop management skills.
Users can also register to receive professional development resources matched to their learning needs, essentially building a great library of resources tailored to them.
“New articles will be distributed to them as they become available. For example, if you are looking for HR or people management info, it will be delivered directly to your online toolbox.”
DairyNZ Career Pathways is available through DairyNZ consulting officers, AgITO, New Zealand Young Farmers and other rural professionals, along with the DairyNZ website: www.dairynz.co.nz/careerpathways
Media Contact
Alex Fear
DairyNZ Senior Communications Advisor
Phone: 07 858 3831
Mobile: 027 411 5663
Email: alex.fear@xtra.co.nz
