12 Feb 2014

Work flows from horticulture scheme

7:50 pm on 12 February 2014

A horticulture training scheme in Hawke's Bay is aiming to get people off the dole and into permanent work.

The Eastern Institute of Technology has teamed up with iwi and a local grower, John Bostock, to set up a fruit production course on an orchard.

Ten students graduated at Te Aranga Marae on Wednesday, and have some form of employment.

John Bostock says there are serious social issues in Hastings caused by the large amount of seasonal workers, which is driving the scheme to get people permanent work.

He says the aim is to try and provide real on-site training that has a prospect of jobs at the end of it.

The scheme will run again this year.