The agricultural sector is being encouraged to re-think how jobs can be done and hire more people with disabilities.
The Ministry for Primary Industries teamed up with the Universal College of Learning to hold apiculture taster courses for people with disabilities. Photo: MPI
The Ministry for Primary Industries teamed up with the Universal College of Learning to hold apiculture taster courses for people with disabilities at the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in Wairarapa.
Labour market statistics show that New Zealanders with disabilities are three times less likely to be employed than non-disabled people.
MPI director for investment, skills and performance Cheyne Gillooly said people with disabilities could face hurdles in the job market, but plenty of jobs in the food and fibre sector could suit them.
"We're seeing people moving into into woodworking and using using those skills to create beehives and frames for the beekeeping industry," he said.
"We're seeing horticultural roles being made available as people, again, understand how people can work in and around those orchards or utilise some of the skills that people have that make them particularly suitable for things like picking, packing, and engaging in some of the more physical roles that we have in the sector.
"But also, looking at some of the opportunities around the more diverse roles that we have in the sector that again, can be done from home or can be done in an office, or can be done in slightly different ways that open up a world of new opportunities for for a sector of our community."
Gillooly said one in five disabled people were employed, and less than half of disabled people aged between 15 and 24 are in education or training programmes compared to 10 percent for non-disabled youth.
There was a huge range of disabilities, such as people recovering from long-term injuries, who may not identify as disabled, or those with long-term managed health conditions, mental health barriers, and neurodiversity, he said.
MPI director for investment, skills and performance Cheyne Gillooly Photo: Supplied / MPI
Tweaking jobs to suit them might involve a only small switch.
"The changes, sometimes it's simple, like it might be changing the way that we view hours or changing the way that we set up a packhouse or packroom or something like that.
"That can open up much more employment opportunities and a much more diverse range of employees that you may not have been able to get access to before, and in a time of tight employment that we have at the moment, being able to get access to good quality employees is critical and so often making those small tweaks net a really big result."
Apiculture teach at the Universal College of Learning in Wairarapa, Peter "PJ" Ferris wants farmers and growers to give people with disabilities a chance.
"These kids have the ability to do jobs. All we need is the general workforce to give them a chance," he said.
"You know they're going to turn up, and you definitely know they're going to be loyal to their employers."
Ferris, whose daughter has cerebral palsy, said people with disabilities are often not afforded the same opportunities to prove they can do jobs.
They're keen to learn and courses such as these instil the confidence needed to take the next step, he says.
Having been given a chance at a young age, his daughter has been employed in the same role for 20 years.
Agriculture employers keen to become "disability confident" workplaces are encouraged to contact MPI on workforceteam@mpi.govt.nz.