Farm Cadet Scheme a “stepping stone”

Press, 7 October 1988, Page 20

Farm Cadet Scheme a “stepping stone”

Farming was a sound career choice for young people, said the president of Federated Farmers, Mr Brian Chamberlin. In some areas last year there were not enough cadets to meet demand from farmers, he said. The Farm Cadet Scheme trained competent school leavers by matching them up with approved farmers who trained them on the job. Part time study was also a part of the scheme. Mr Chamberlin said the scheme had been a stepping stone for many young people who had later become farm managers, sharemilkers, and eventually even farm owners.

"Farming has a different apprenticeship sys-

tern to other industries. We encourage our cadets to work towards becoming their own boss and the emphasis is on doing the practical jobs right.” He said the healthy outdoors lifestyle was a major attraction for many people. New Zealand farming still led the world because of the ability of its farmers to develop new ideas such as farming deer or growing kiwifruit. “Given sound economic management by Government, farming prospects must be good. If the moves already underway to reduce trade barriers are successful, the medium and long term prospects are particularly exciting,” he said.