Pathways into different industries

Find out about the training needed and what it's like to work in different industries.

Wine, forestry, farming and orchard jobs, training and career information

Opportunity Grows Here — Ministry for Primary Industries

If you’re looking for work, there are opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand right now.  Our vineyards, forests, farms, orchards, and seas have roles for everyone – from immediate jobs and careers, to training and taster courses to get you started.  

About What it's about

Our farmers, growers, winemakers, and fishers helped keep the country working through COVID-19 and will be essential to New Zealand’s recovery. And you can be part of it. We need people with a range of interests, skills, experiences, and backgrounds.

There are jobs available across New Zealand in our food and fibre industries. These include farming (dairy, beef and sheep), food processing, wine producing, forestry, seafood, and horticulture. There are some available right now, while others offer taster and training courses before you start. While there are seasonal jobs, many may be the start of a long-term career with opportunities to grow and advance.  

It’s not just opportunities in rural or labour based roles. There are roles in science, technology, business management, logistics, animal welfare, marketing, research and development. Roles cover a wide range of exciting work and career options. Many you may not have thought of. 

Who Who it's for

Anyone looking for a viable career option, training and roles, in the primary sector.

Learning and working in the construction and infrastructure industries

Ministry of Education

If you enjoy teamwork, variety, and hands-on learning, this could be the pathway for you. You can take pride in playing your part to build, repair and maintain New Zealand from the ground up.

About What it's about

Construction and Infrastructure is an incredibly important industry, with a lot of varied and exciting options. There is a massive amount of demand for workers in this industry in New Zealand - and this is ongoing.

Who Who it's for

If you’re a student who is practical, a people-person, and a team player – then this could be the industry pathway for you.

Offers What it offers

In this industry, there are a tonne of opportunities. You could start as a labourer before becoming a foreperson, supervisor or manager. Develop your entrepreneurial skills and you could even start your own business. Becoming an architect, engineer, and project manager are all possibilities in this industry.

If you like to work hard, respect people, do a quality job, and deliver on people’s expectations, you can earn good money.

Learning and working in the service industries

Ministry of Education

If you’re looking for a career where you can use your people skills to help your community, this could be the pathway for you. This sector could take you into social work, emergency services, counselling, therapy, education, nursing, and more.

About What it's about

The service industry covers hospitality, travel and tourism, hair and beauty, retail, sports and recreation, events, journalism, advertising, administration, and much more.

Who Who it's for

If you’re a student who is a people-person – then this might be the industry pathway for you.

Offers What it offers

In the service industry you can learn, grow, and really work your way up. There will often be opportunities for on-the-job training to help you progress. You could start off as a porter in a hotel and rise up the ranks to a supervisor, then manager before starting your own hotel. The skills you gain can be transferrable and valuable to many roles. You’ll meet and work with loads of interesting people, and your work will have a lot of variety. There are lots of part-time opportunities in this sector which is great if you want to work while you’re completing further study.

Learning and working in the manufacturing and technology industries

Ministry of Education

If you have an interest in making things work, are inquisitive and able to think outside the box, this could be the pathway for you. From hands-on production to cutting-edge research, or computer design and technology, this industry covers a range of skills.

About What it's about

This industry is the second largest employer in New Zealand, it’s a big growth area so futures in this pathway are bright.

Technology, and telecommunications in particular, are fast-changing and expanding industries and key to New Zealand’s future. With a shortage of skilled workers in these industries, people who work and study for a career in the technology sector are in high demand.

Who Who it's for

If you’re a student who is interested in how things work, inquisitive, and who thinks outside of the box – then this may be the pathway for you.

Offers What it offers

Careers in technology, engineering, and science are some of the most exciting, varied and rewarding. Within any manufacturing and technology career you can move from industry to industry and job to job thanks to the great transferable skills you gain along the way.

Learning and working in the primary industries

Ministry of Education

The Primary (Food and Fibre) Industries offers a great variety of work, including agriculture, agri-tech, farming, horticulture, dairy manufacture, forestry, mining, the seafood industry, landscaping, veterinary and many more exciting pathways.

About What it's about

This sector includes including agriculture, agri-tech, farming, horticulture, dairy manufacture, forestry, mining, the seafood industry, landscaping, veterinary and many more exciting pathways.

There’s a broad range and diversity of jobs and there are many opportunities to learn new skills. There’s always something new as technology and equipment change constantly. It’s a big sector for the Māori economy with a large proportion of New Zealand’s forests, fisheries, and dairy farms Māori-owned and operated.

Who Who it's for

If you’re a student likes spending time in nature and looking after living things then this could be the industry pathway for you.

Offers What it offers

There are a huge variety of roles in this sector; from working on the land to working in an office, working alone or as part of a team. If you’re not working directly on the land you may be a visiting advisor to a part of the industry, such as arboriculture. Or maybe you are an accountant, mechanic or vet. The possibilities are endless!

Learning and working in the social and community services

Ministry of Education

Jobs in the social and community service industries have a real impact and are essential for community well-being and safety. It can be exciting, personally rewarding as well as physically and emotionally demanding. You’ll be helping people, improving their quality of life.

About What it's about

This industry covers community and social services, defence, emergency services, healthcare and medicine, the public sector, education, protection and security, and Whānau Ora.

Careers in this pathway are all about supporting the community and caring for people. You’ll be dealing with people of all ages and walks-of-life. You may find yourself in challenging, fast-paced situations which involve decision-making under pressure.

Who Who it's for

If you’re a student who is a ‘people-person’, a team-player, and wants to make a difference in peoples’ lives – then this could be the industry pathway for you.

Offers What it offers

This is an industry where you can continually develop and up-skill. If you are committed to your job and willing to take on further study you can progress quickly. You could start off as a support worker and work your way up to being a team leader or manager.

Learning and working in the creative industries

Ministry of Education

The creative industry sector is full of interesting and exciting opportunities here in New Zealand, and abroad. This sector covers visual and performing arts, design, digital technologies, the film industry, events, and so much more.

About What it's about

The creative industries covers visual and performing arts, design, digital technologies, the film industry, events, and so much more. This industry is all about hard work, creativity and talent. This is a great industry to develop a variety of skills and life experience in many different fields.

Who Who it's for

If you’re a student who is the creative, artistic type - then this could be the industry pathway for you.

Offers What it offers

Career opportunities range from generating creative projects within local communities to leading innovation inside international companies. Your skills are transferable across other pathways as well.

While some individuals are very skilled and excel in arts or design fields, many people in creative industries find great satisfaction working within projects or behind the scenes to support performers.

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