Budget 2015: Orchardists: Lift funding for training

Prospective horticulturalists at last year's National Horticultural Field Days in Hastings. More than 260 secondary school students will be at this year's event looking at careers in the industry. Photo / File

A resurgence of interest in horticultural careers could be stymied if Thursday's Budget doesn't address demand for greater funding of training, according to a Hawke's Bay horticulture industry leader.

The demand is highlighted by the 262 enrolments, from as far away as New Plymouth and Gisborne, for the Education Expo at the National Horticultural Field Days at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds on June 5.

That's up almost 40 per cent on last year, but orchardist Leon Stallard, husband of expo organiser Robyn Stallard, says there are problems about funding students into training, at a time when horticulture is demanding more skills and expertise.

"That's 262 secondary school students, and it could be more, who are coming to have a look at horticulture as a career," Mr Stallard says. "But you talk to people like Massey University and the EIT there's not enough money to train them."

"We have this big interest in getting into the industry, but the cost is so high."

Of particular interest are the members from traditional dairy areas, who appear to want a career "on the land" but think that dairying is "maybe not for them," he says.

Mrs Stallard said students are coming from 17 schools, and some schools are bringing vanloads to the expo, highlighting the interest.

Careers in horticulture will be the focus of a luncheon during the expo to be attended by school principals, vocational guidance staff and others involved in developing careers in the industry.

Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay provincial president Will Foley said the agricultural and pastoral sectors also need greater financial support for training.

"Definitely," he said. "It would hopefully attract new people. There is a big concern that there are not enough young people coming through into farming careers."