NextGen Dairy Farmers Programme
Your future is secure through this innovative programme for Year 12 and 13 students.
If you love problem-solving, technology, science and animals, and have leadership qualities then dairy farming could be for you. You’ll be fast-tracked through the dairy industry, and earn as you learn. You’ll receive unmatched support from industry organisations and high-performing farmers. Your future is secured.
Photo credit NZ Young Farmers
15 NextGen future farmers wanted
The dairy industry is looking for 15 individuals to become the high-performing farmers of tomorrow. To be one of the 15 and secure an on-farm trainee farm assistant job in January 2025, we recommend that your first step is to attend a Taster Day at a local Canterbury farm.
What’s it really like working on a dairy farm?
The dairy industry is more complex than you think, which is why the NextGen Dairy Farmers Programme is for individuals who know they have something to offer the world and who may (or may not) know exactly what that is, but are ready to succeed and commit to a pathway. If this is you, then dairy farming could be your future.
15 Future farmers wanted
The dairy industry is looking for 15 individuals to become the high-performing farmers of tomorrow. To be one of the 15 and secure an on-farm trainee farm assistant job in January 2025, we recommend that your first step is to attend a Taster Day at a local Canterbury farm.
What’s it really like working on a dairy farm?
The dairy industry is more complex than you think, which is why the NextGen Dairy Farmers Programme is for individuals who know they have something to offer the world and who may (or may not) know exactly what that is, but are ready to succeed and commit to a pathway. If this is you, then dairy farming could be your future.
Mihaka Beckham loves working on a dairy farm
In the NextGen Dairy Farmers Programme
- Learn and earn on the job working for an employer who upholds the very best dairy industry standards from people to environmental stewardship and animal care
- Feel good about your contribution – you will be feeding the world and New Zealand, and contributing to one of New Zealand’s largest industries. You are important
- Connect with other young people and find your people in farming social networks with other farmers and rural professionals
- Know that your future is secure – you’re being provided a start that no other New Zealand school leavers who become dairy farmers have ever been offered
- Work with animals, machines and technology in a physical outdoor job that is like no other
Your first full-time job in January 2025
- Earn as you learn and work a maximum of 40 hours per week
- Be supported in a positive environment by people who understand what it’s like to get started in the dairy industry. You’ll have regular catch-ups with a learning advisor.
- Grow as a person and receive all the training you need; because you have been selected, your unique qualities have been recognised and will be nurtured
- Have your eyes opened to the many career paths within the New Zealand dairy industry
- You may or may not be living on farm – depends on the farm location and your preferences
“I love getting outside daily, working hands-on with the animals, and being challenged practically. I’m pushed to use my brain and use problem solving to improve my farming. There is much more to dairy farming than you’d think. I enjoy working in a supportive team that really cares about me and there is a lot of support in the industry to learn more. In two years, I have progressed from dairy farm assistant to a manager position. I enjoy flexibility in my time so that I can be with family and enjoy interests off the farm too.”
5 steps to NextGen Dairy Farmers
Step 1 – Taster Day* (1st August 2024) – limited spots
At a 4-hour taster day, you’ll get an introduction to a career in the dairy industry and find out more about the NextGen programme. You’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on. If you love problem-solving, technology, science and animals, and have leadership qualities then dairy farming could be for you.
Register for a Taster Day
- 1st August, 10am to 2pm – on a working farm in Canterbury
Register by Sunday, 12th June 2024
* You do not have to attend a taster day to be part of the the NextGen Dairy Farmers Programme but it’s highly recommended.
Step 2 – Apply to be a NextGen future farmer (mid-June 2024)
Following a taster day, if you think this opportunity is for you, you will begin the application and interview process to be one of our 15 NextGen future farmers. You’ll also find out about options for pre-employment training and work placement in Canterbury. Ideally, you’ll be no further than 1 hour from your family. Applications open Mid-June and close 20 August. Interviews are early-September with successful applications notified in late-September.
Step 3 – Sit your exams (late-2024)
High-performing dairy farmers understand the importance of education and continuous learning. You will be expected to sit your 2024 exams before going on to earn-as-you-learn in your new job in 2025.
Step 4 – Pre-employment training (December 2024)
After officially joining the programme, you’ll be invited to join a three-week pre-employment training programme together with all the other 15 NextGen future farmers on a Canterbury dairy farm. You’ll learn the basics and get to meet your new host farmer for January 2025! You’ll receive support with transport and farm clothing to get you started. You’ll learn about working with stock, complete vehicle and machinery training including motorbikes, ATVs and tractors, learn about milking and the dairy shed, and keeping safe on farm. You’ll be notified of your new job and location during the pre-employment training.
Step 5 – Start your new trainee farm assistant job (January 2025)
It’s all up from here. In January 2025, you’ll start your new job with a vetted employer in Canterbury with a farm business that demonstrates industry best practices and standards. In the first six months, you will earn as you learn, work managed hours (max 40-hour week), have regular catch-ups with a learning advisor; and you may or may not be living on a farm – depends on the farm location and your personal preferences. Dairy farming has so much to offer for the right people.
This project is a Dairy Training and DairyNZ joint initiative.
Students, education professionals, parents and caregivers are encouraged to contact Laura Littlejohn, Dairy Training’s training coordinator with any questions, no matter how big or small, laura.littlejohn@dairynz.co.nz, or 0800 467 768
Register for a Taster Day now
Give dairy farming a taster and see if it’s for you.
Register for a Taster Day now
Give dairy farming a taster and see if it’s for you.