Graduates flock to join booming fruit industry

Bernadette Ryan-Hopkins

Talented young graduates are being encouraged to join Zespri as the kiwifruit industry booms and exports continue to increase.

Last year the company launched its graduate programme to develop future leaders - a feat that would be repeated due to its success.

Zespri spokeswoman Bernadette Ryan-Hopkins said the scheme was designed to attract top young finance and supply chain talent into the kiwifruit industry, which earned more than $1.57 billion last year in export sales.

"The kiwifruit industry is looking at serious growth - with export earnings set to double by 2020 - and Zespri wants the brightest and best employees on board to grow the business. The first Graduate Programme has been a phenomenal success and we're so excited to be doing it again."

Applications were welcome from graduates with supply chain and finance disciplines while skills in languages are relevant, "but the right attitude is the most important of all".

The successful applicants would also have a senior executive mentor for their time at Zespri - an excellent opportunity to get advice from someone who has worked their way through the business, she said.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc chief executive Mike Chapman said graduate programmes were important to attract talent so the kiwifruit industry remained a fast paced, innovative industry.

It had also undertaken an array of initiatives including the promotion of careers and worked closely with schools and business leaders, he said.

The organisation leads the Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower event and facilitates the "Cultivate Your Career" to undertake horticulture related activities that promote developing students skills in innovation.

The kiwifruit industry would require an additional 420 fulltime staff, and 4740 seasonal staff by 2019, Mr Chapman said.