Ag Challenge open days in Whanganui offer a taste of future careers

Open days at Ag Challenge provide a taste of future careers.

People pondering a career in agriculture, animal care or even construction and allied trades have an opportunity to taste their future.

Upcoming open days at Ag Challenge in Whanganui are designed to give people a hands-on feel of what it may be like to work in a range of fields.

Courses are also available to those still at school whereby students can study at Ag Challenge for one or two days a week and gain credits toward NCEA.

Michelle Colson from Ag Challenge marketing said the open days were basically taster days catered to those who want to come out to company headquarters in Okoia for a couple of hours, whether they be groups or individuals.

"We can drive them around our sites and show them what we offer, which is especially useful if people aren't sure," Colson said.

"Or we can take an individual round to a course and let them join in with whatever activity happens to be being taught. We find this is a good approach for those who are a bit nervous of tertiary education, or a bit shy round others.

"I co-ordinate and make the introductions so they get to meet the admin team and tutors too. Those interested do need to book though, so we know what we're catering for."

Once booked there is free transport to and from the Ag Challenge site.

The next open day is set for 10.30am on Thursday, October 18, while another is scheduled for Thursday, November 15 also at 10.30am.