Originator/Sponsor: Fairlight Foundation
Portfolio Managers: Fiona Windle
Status: In Delivery
Planned delivery date: 30 November 2024
Lead Agency/Service Provider: Dr Lesley Petersen
Introduction/Background:
The Fairlight Foundation runs as a registered charity with a 100-year vision. Its internship programme was initially set up with a practical skill development focus, but has progressed to develop professional skills, particularly around building confidence in having direct conversations that are needed when dealing with farming clients. The programme’s overall goal is to develop proficient professionals who become confident role models and mentors to strengthen the food and fibre sector overall.
A key driver for the programme is the under-representation of females in management level. The internship programme is for females aged over 21 and receives between 12 and 25 applications each year from women who have done an agriculture or animal science degree. They take three interns per year.
Now in its fourth year, the Foundation wants to conduct an evaluation to identify the programme’s impact and outcomes for the interns who have completed the programme and determine the sustainability of the current programme model. The Foundation, along with Food and Fibre CoVE will make the evaluation publicly available to enable other industries to learn from and/or replicate the programme.
Objectives:
The objective of this project is to evaluate the impact and outcomes of The Fairlight Foundation Internship Programme in advancing women’s careers in agriculture and determine its sustainability for future interns. The project will complement an internal review planned to be undertaken by the Foundation later this year.
To achieve this, the project will:
- Determine the impact and outcomes of the internship programme on past and current interns and the agricultural industry.
- Identify whether the programme is meeting employer needs and expectations.
- Analyse the programme content and delivery to understand what is working well and what could be improved, and what opportunities might be missing.
- Investigate the underpinning evidence that similar internship programmes in New Zealand, and internationally, could leverage to enhance industry value and career outcomes for women in agriculture.
The findings will inform other food and fibre sectors considering implementation of similar programmes, fostering broader industry engagement and career development opportunities for women.
The above information was current as at 11 September 2024