Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence

📢 New Report into Neurodiversity Supporting neurodiversity requires intentional effort and investment, yet it is often overlooked in many workplaces. A report prepared by Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence, ConCOVE Tūhura and Skills Group found that in New Zealand, neurodiversity is frequently grouped with disability, leading some companies to overlook its specific needs. For example, disability plans in some organizations do not include neurodiversity, which means it doesn’t receive the dedicated focus it deserves. While research on neurodiversity, including conditions like dyslexia, is growing, we need to turn that research into action. Key steps include raising awareness, educating people about neurodiversity, and training educators to provide effective support. The main challenge? Funding. New Zealand lags behind other countries in financial support for neurodiversity initiatives. However, with better funding and targeted training for both employees and employers, we can create a more inclusive environment that allows neurodiverse individuals to thrive. Not only will this empower people to succeed, but it will also help address skills gaps in the workforce, benefiting businesses and society as a whole. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gR-zgqxd For more information, contact Portfolio Managers Dr Lilla du Toit (Food and Fibre CoVE) or Eve Price (ConCOVE). #positivedisruption #growth #innovation #foodandfibre #neurodiversity #education #workforcedevelopment

📢 December eNewsletter Out Now! The latest Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence eNewsletter should have landed in your inbox earlier today, Monday 16 December. If not, you can view it on our website here: https://lnkd.in/gGn9kzzW If you want news and the important project updates delivered straight to your inbox in the future, "Sign Up" at the bottom of the home page on our website: https://lnkd.in/gd6qCE6a #positivedisruption #growth #innovation #foodandfibre

🎥 Watch our Webinar on the Future of Secondary School Transitions to VET and Employment! We're excited to share insights from the Secondary School Transitions and Pathways to VET and Employment project, which explores the vital connections between secondary school education and the food and fibre sector. In a recent webinar, experts Josh Williams and Arthur Graves from Skills Group analysed the latest data and policy insights. They discussed what's working, what needs improvement, and the opportunities for reshaping the future of education and employment in our sector. Key takeaways: ✅ The current state of secondary school transitions to VET and employment. ✅ Opportunities for innovation within the system. ✅ Expert perspectives on strengthening the link between education and the food and fibre industry. 🎥 Watch the webinar to gain valuable insights into how we can build a stronger, more connected pathway for the next generation of talent in our sector! https://lnkd.in/g-79HNUz For more information, contact Portfolio Manager Fiona Windle.  #positivedisruption #growth #innovation #foodandfibre #vet #education #secondaryschool #webinar #careertransitions

📢 New Article Series: AI in New Zealand’s Education Sector 📢 Over the next few months, Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence will publish a series of articles exploring how AI tools are addressing challenges in the New Zealand education sector. Topics will include: 👉 AI Projects: Explore AI initiatives in New Zealand's higher education sector. 👉 AI Fit: Guidance on determining if AI is the right choice for your organisation and learners. 👉 AI Chatbots in Education: Benefits, considerations, and implications of using AI chatbots for teaching and learning. 👉 Interviews with Innovators: Conversations with New Zealand creators shaping AI for education. 👉 Government Guidelines: An overview of government requirements for AI usage in educational institutions. 👉 Top AI Thought Leaders: Curated recommendations on the leading AI experts to follow in New Zealand. The series, written by Scarlatti, will be published in real-time throughout the development and piloting of an AI-powered assessment chatbot. This means you'll be learning alongside us as we dive into this exciting new space. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or professional exploring AI’s potential to innovate and enhance educational outcomes, this series is for you! 📩 Stay Updated: Want to receive each article directly in your inbox? Sign up here https://lnkd.in/g2UR8Ck7 or contact Phoebe Gill. #positivedisruption #growth #innovation #foodandfibre #educationinnovation #ai #highereducation #vocationallearning #chatbots

🚀 Join us for an insightful webinar on the future of secondary school transitions to VET and employment in the food and fibre sector! Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence invites you to an interactive session where experts Josh Williams and Arthur Graves from Skills Group will explore findings from the Secondary School Transitions and Pathways to VET and Employment project. 🌱 Key Highlights: Insights into current state of school-to-VET and employment transitions Opportunities for innovation within the system Expert perspectives on strengthening education and industry connections 📅 Date: Thursday, 12th December 2024 🕛 Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM NZT (via MS Teams) This engaging session includes time for Q&A, so bring your questions and ideas! 🔗 REGISTER NOW https://lnkd.in/gsP3nJtC We look forward to seeing you there! #positivedisruption #growth #innovation #foodandfibre #vet #education #secondaryschool #webinar #careertransitions

📢 New Report: Accelerating Pathways for Rural Women Thanks to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Loshni Manikam of Thriving Farming Women for initiating further exploration of the opportunities to enable rural women to join Aotearoa New Zealand's food and fibre workforce. This led to a project where Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence engaged Scarlatti to research the possibilities. Approximately 15,200 rural women were identified as the target group, many of whom are skilled and experienced but face barriers such as time constraints, childcare, isolation, and low confidence. A survey of these women revealed that while they possess valuable skills, they often lack awareness of job and training opportunities and feel that employers may not fully appreciate their capabilities. Follow-up interviews confirmed these findings and highlighted that rural women would prefer additional training to build their confidence and better prepare for the workforce. The research identified three key principles for designing effective pathways into the workforce: visibility, suitability, and accessibility. Pathways need to be visible, meaning opportunities should be promoted through targeted channels, and women should see role models in the sector. They must also be suitable, taking into account rural women’s unique needs, such as flexible training formats and appropriate content. Finally, pathways must be accessible in terms of timing, location, and cost. Kate Gear, who led the research at Scarlatti, said “it was a privilege to hear from Aotearoa’s rural women and explore how they can be supported in the food and fibre workforce. The stories from these skilled and motivated women highlighted the need for practical pathways that consider their diverse roles and needs”. Additionally, advocacy for rural women in the food and fibre sector was emphasised, as subconscious biases against women, particularly older women, still persist. A suggested pathway involves an online workshop focusing on recognising core transferable skills, improving self-presentation, and preparing for job applications and interviews. This would be complemented by ongoing support to guide women to suitable employment and further training opportunities. A big thank you to those who participated, we appreciate your valuable input to help accelerate pathways for New Zealand's rural women. For more information and to read the report, visit https://lnkd.in/ga-zR-XT Or contact Portfolio Manager, Fiona Windle. Rural Women New Zealand | Ngā Wāhine Taiwhenua o Aotearoa New Zealand Rural Support Trust Farming Mums NZ Beef + Lamb New Zealand DairyNZ Dairy Women's Network Aquaculture New Zealand Agri-Women's Development Trust Fruition Horticulture (HB) Ltd Horticulture New Zealand Meat Business Women NZIPIM (NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management) #foodandfibre #ruralwomen #growth

Earlybird Ticket Extension for the Research & Insights Forum 2025 In light of ongoing challenges and uncertainty within the vocational education and training sector, as well as the widespread adjustments being made by organisations facing staff changes and tighter budgets, we are pleased to announce the extension of earlybird ticket sales for the Research & Insights Forum until 31 January 2025. This extension ensures that more educators and industry professionals will have the opportunity to secure their place at the forum at a reduced rate, allowing them to join us in March 2025 for an event that promises to deliver valuable insights and powerful networking opportunities. This extension underscores our commitment to advancing vocational excellence, driving innovation, and enhancing talent retention in the food and fibre sector. We look forward to welcoming as many attendees as possible to what promises to be an engaging, thought-provoking, and impactful event. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of our industry. Register now https://lnkd.in/gev456uU Take a look at the full programme https://lnkd.in/g5jzzGZb #foodandfibreforum2025 #foodandfibre #positivedisruption #innovation #vocationalexcellence #growth

Session #3: Integrating technology – to infinity and beyond Join us for an exciting session that dives deep into the latest technological advancements transforming food and fibre education and training. Dan Browne and Hamish Webber provide insights into how emerging technologies like VR, AI, and gamification are reshaping learning experiences and operational methods. Learn how these tools can be seamlessly integrated into your organisation, by hearing about successful pilot programmes with DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand. It’s time to harness the power of innovation to drive progress and efficiency in the sector. Adam Barker and Phoebe Gill then provide a look into the future of digital assessments with a detailed review of new opportunities in tech-driven evaluations. Plus, explore the groundbreaking Online Food and Fibre Vocational Excellence Framework, designed to enhance training quality and impact. Presented by leading experts from Scarlatti and Skills Group, this session will equip you with the resources needed to refine or expand your VET offerings and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry. Get Your Early Bird Tickets Today! Register now https://lnkd.in/gev456uU Take a look at the full programme https://lnkd.in/g5jzzGZb #foodandfibreforum2025 #foodandfibre #positivedisruption #innovation #vocationalexcellence #growth

🌱 We’re excited to share the latest update to the Food and Fibre Sector Skills Framework! There is now an online version of the Skills Framework to make it easier for employees, employers, and educators to access and use. This framework categorises the essential skills needed for the food and fibre sector, which include core transferable, core technical, and specialised industry or technical skills. The newly completed work adds more depth to the core transferable skills, with detailed 'what it looks like' statements across three levels: independent worker, team/project leader, and management. Whether you're describing a role for a job description, assessing your team's skills, or guiding potential workers, this framework can help you speak the same language about the skills you need to drive growth. 👉 Explore the online framework and helpful user guides to get started here: https://lnkd.in/gJ2R9dCj 👉 And we need your help! We're inviting organisations to review the framework and share feedback, as well as collaborate on the next steps for its broader implementation. If you're interested in shaping the future of skills development in the food and fibre sector, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Portfolio Manager Jackie Lynch to get involved. #positivedisruption #growth #innovation #foodandfibre #skillsdevelopment

📢 New CASE STUDY into Irrigation New Zealand A report prepared by Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence and Skills Group into the New Zealand irrigation sector found that it faces significant challenges in developing formal training pathways that align with industry needs. Despite its critical role in water management, food security, and environmental stewardship, the sector struggles to establish formal qualifications within the current vocational education and training (VET) system. IrrigationNZ has taken steps to address these gaps through industry-specific programmes and exploring alignment with international qualifications. However, progress has been hindered by the sector’s small size and ongoing VET reforms. There is a pressing need for tailored, NZQA-aligned qualifications, particularly in entry-level pathways, to attract a diverse workforce and ensure regulatory compliance. To support the sector’s growth, several recommendations have emerged, including the creation of a clear career and training framework, the establishment of a New Zealand-based apprenticeship programme, and the recognition of the Australian Certificate III in Irrigation Technology. Additionally, there is a strong call for increased promotion of irrigation careers, particularly targeting younger people, and closer collaboration with regulatory bodies to ensure training meets evolving compliance needs. By fostering stronger partnerships across industry, education, and government, the irrigation sector can develop a robust training landscape that attracts skilled professionals and positions irrigation as an exciting and sustainable career choice for the next generation. For more information and to read the report, visit https://lnkd.in/ggEiu2qk Or contact Portfolio Manager, Jackie Lynch. #positivedisruption #growth #innovation #foodandfibre