Originator/Sponsor: Food and Fibre CoVE
Portfolio Managers: Viv Bruin
Status: Completed August 2025
Lead Agency/Service Provider: Scarlatti
Primary Objective(s):
The Next Generation Dairy Farmers Pilot programme (NextGen Pilot) was an initiative jointly funded by Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Food and Fibre CoVE to support the New Zealand dairy industry having the right people, at the right time with the right skills.
The NextGen Pilot focuses on equipping secondary school leavers – as one of the many new entrant sources to the industry workforce – with the foundational technical and soft skills to thrive in an entry level in the dairy industry.
While the project has a dairy industry focus, the findings mayalso apply to the wider food and fibre sector. The NextGen Pilot comprises three deliverables:
- Industry-aligned curricula
- Monitoring and evaluation report
- Attracting new entrants to the workforce
Abstract:
The first Next Generation Dairy Farmers (NextGen) pilot in Canterbury showed 100% completion and retention, with school leavers demonstrating strong career commitment, above-average skills, and high employer satisfaction. The programme’s structured training, pastoral care, and focus on professionalism proved valuable for both learners and farms, breaking down entry barriers and building long-term training capacity. However, financial modelling highlights a significant funding gap, meaning future success depends on securing sustainable support from stakeholders and TEC.
Read the full report here.
The above information was current as at 4 September 2025