On farm learning helps to retain dairy workers Giving team members the opportunity to gain an on-the-job qualification means farmers can retain both staff and their skills longer, says Hauraki District dairy farmer llona Pohlmann. Ilona and partner Mike Green operate a dairy unit at Paeroa, where farm assistant Jasmine Tauri is completing the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Agriculture Level 3 and 4. Ilona says she offers staff the opportunity to learn so that they can understand their job better and thrive in their roles. "We invest in people who have little knowledge about farming but who want to learn." Ilona speaks from experience. Originally from Poland, Ilona began working on the farm after she met Mike while on a working holiday in. New Zealand, "I found it difficult when I started working on the farm because I didn't understand what I was doing." At Mike's suggestion, Ilona began learning entry level programmes with Primary ITO | Te Pkenga. "It completely changed my perspective. I started to understand what I was doing and why." Now she offers training in all job advertisements. "We find giving staff the opportunity to upskill means they build skills and stay longer." Jasmine is progressing and applying knowledge she has learnt on the farm. Ilona says a key part of Jasmine's success is the support she receives from Primary ITO Training Adviser Kirstin Anderson, a former contract milker who is completing the final paper of the New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management. "I love helping farmers develop their teams and achieve their goals and supporting learners to further their career," says Kirstin. Primary ITO training advisers are in regular contact with learners to support their progress, and meet with employers and learners at least four times a year to set a training plan. Learners attend classes once every month to six weeks and attend study days and nights. A learning support team and mentors are available to learners who require additional support. Interested in on-the-job learning? Contact Kirstin Anderson on 027 658 3392 or kirstin.anderson@primaryito.ac.nz PrimaryITO Te Pkenga On farm learning helps to retain dairy workers Giving team members the opportunity to gain an on - the - job qualification means farmers can retain both staff and their skills longer , says Hauraki District dairy farmer llona Pohlmann . Ilona and partner Mike Green operate a dairy unit at Paeroa , where farm assistant Jasmine Tauri is completing the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Agriculture Level 3 and 4 . Ilona says she offers staff the opportunity to learn so that they can understand their job better and thrive in their roles . " We invest in people who have little knowledge about farming but who want to learn . " Ilona speaks from experience . Originally from Poland , Ilona began working on the farm after she met Mike while on a working holiday in . New Zealand , " I found it difficult when I started working on the farm because I didn't understand what I was doing . " At Mike's suggestion , Ilona began learning entry level programmes with Primary ITO | Te Pkenga . " It completely changed my perspective . I started to understand what I was doing and why . " Now she offers training in all job advertisements . " We find giving staff the opportunity to upskill means they build skills and stay longer . " Jasmine is progressing and applying knowledge she has learnt on the farm . Ilona says a key part of Jasmine's success is the support she receives from Primary ITO Training Adviser Kirstin Anderson , a former contract milker who is completing the final paper of the New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management . " I love helping farmers develop their teams and achieve their goals and supporting learners to further their career , " says Kirstin . Primary ITO training advisers are in regular contact with learners to support their progress , and meet with employers and learners at least four times a year to set a training plan . Learners attend classes once every month to six weeks and attend study days and nights . A learning support team and mentors are available to learners who require additional support . Interested in on - the - job learning ? Contact Kirstin Anderson on 027 658 3392 or kirstin.anderson@primaryito.ac.nz PrimaryITO Te Pkenga