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Pest control traps.
photo: RNZ/Nate McKinnon
An apprenticeship scheme to help people work in pest control has ended, raising concerns the industry could once again face skills shortages without more support.
similar 60 apprentices have completed a two-year predator-free apprenticeship program that Launched in 2020 with funding from Jobs for Nature.
New Zealand Anti-Predator Foundation chief executive Jessi Morgan said the organisation helped address experienced workforce shortages and create clear career pathways in the industry.
“They are truly going to be the future leaders of this movement and we are very proud of them,” she said.
Morgan said graduates gain the qualifications, skills, confidence and connections to their communities to carry out their work, while helping the organisations that host them to grow and upskill.
Now that the funding has run out, they are looking for alternative investment to be able to continue the program.
“I think we’re going to end up with a skills shortage in this predator-free space, so when we’re ready to really accelerate the number of projects across the country or expand the amount of land we cover, we’re not going to have enough skilled operators to do the work,” Morgan said.
“That’s going to be a real problem if we’re going to meet our 2050 targets.”
She said the minimum funding they could get to create a viable two-year program with 15 apprentices is $1.5 million per year, but that funding could easily be expanded.
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