Regional Skills Leadership Groups have launched their plans for skills and workforce development in our regions and cities with the food and fibre industries a key focus area for many.

Regional Workforce Plans (RWPs) offer insights on regional labour market and skills issues and opportunities, and set out aspirations, priorities and actions for current and future workforce skills development. They are available on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website.

From aquaculture to horticulture, dairy to agritech, the plans shine a regional spotlight on the impact of the food and fibre sector across the motu and the workforce challenges and opportunities in the regions. They cover factors such as the seasonal nature of some jobs, home to work distances, industry and career perceptions, and helping workers adapt to technological changes like robotics.

RWPs will influence regional projects and local action on labour market and skills matters and inform work at a national level. This is the first time workforce planning has been done in a systematic, regionally led way. Plans will be refreshed annually.

The 15 RSLGs are independent advisory groups of regional leaders. The groups have worked with their communities to build a shared view of the local labour market and to identify the workforce challenges each region faces and the best ways to meet these, now and in the future. Workforce Development Councils and RSLGs are working closely on their respective plans.

MBIE is leading a cross-agency response to the themes raised by RSLGs and is working towards delivery of this by the end of 2022. The response will be published on the MBIE website.