Post graduate education for the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty

This report covers two surveys that were conducted to determine how postgraduate education can be delivered in the Bay of Plenty, to best meet the kiwifruit industries needs. CEO’s and chairmen of seven postharvest facilities covering 65% of the national kiwifruit crop and 50% of the avocado crop were interviewed. They were very positive about initiatives to get MBA type programmes delivered in the Bay of Pienty. There is a clear preference for developing business and leadership skills, and to a lesser extent horticultural skills. Science based graduates working in the industry are more interested too in developing their business skills, with only a minority who would consider taking further papers developed especiaiiy forthe kiwifruit industry. However short courses in specific kiwifruit topics would be considered by the majority of graduate employees. To enhance uptake of any courses, they need to designed to take account of the seasonal demands on the time of industry participants.