Accountants, bankers and chefs are now among the people looking for dairy training supported by Southlander Dani Low.

The Primary ITO training adviser says over the past year, the career changers have joined school leavers and young people looking to make a start in the dairy industry. Dani’s now working with employers to offer their new employees training and support to change careers in the wake of the economic reshuffle from Covid-19. 

“They all seem to be really enjoying it. I love seeing people get excited about their career progression.”

Dani says that progression can be on to contract or sharemilking or other senior roles within the dairy industry, all of which require people with a wide skill and knowledge base.

As the industry training organisation responsible for agriculture, horticulture and other primary sector training, Primary ITO’s programmes are designed to build people’s skills and knowledge at the same time as they are working in the industry.

Dani’s role is to support and nurture their on-farm and in-class learning while working alongside both the employer and employee to identify their respective needs.

One of Dani’s star pupils was a city girl who started out knowing nothing about the dairy industry but is now a contract milker, having worked her way up the ladder, gaining Primary ITO qualifications along the way. 

Born and bred in Southland, Dani’s work is solely focused on building people capability in the dairy industry in the south-west of the region. She has been in her Primary ITO role for six years.

Most of her time is spent on the road, visiting farms, signing up learners, checking in with her trainees and helping them with setting goals and ensuring they are on track with their book work. She also meets with employers on every farm visit. 

“It’s important when we are goal setting that it’s based on what the employer wants the trainee to learn, so we work together to identify skill gaps and help fill them.” 

She says most trainees are really keen to learn and to achieve their learning and personal goals and Primary ITO is working on ways to make learning accessible to as many people as possible. 

The Government is covering training fees until 31 December 2022 so there’s never been a better time to invest in yourself and your people.

Contact Dani Low on 027 229 9988 or email [email protected]