A key factor in discouraging workers from entering the horticulture industry is a perception of low pay rates, a Horticulture New Zealand employee says.
Horticulture NZ national seasonal labour co-ordinator Jerf van Beek believes entry-level earnings may put people off, but if pay scales are viewed as stepping stones, there is an obvious path to a well-paid career.
''Having a stepping stone creates more robust workers as it means people will stay in the job and can see benefits [of higher pay and further training] ... It is possible to make very good money.''
He knew of people who had made enough money in horticulture to eventually buy and run their own orchards, Mr van Beek said.
Although entry-level hourly wages were not necessarily attractive, it was the same case in other industries.
''I think it [pay] could always be better, but that's with any profession,'' he said.
Seasonal work could be attractive, as greater amounts of money could be made in a shorter time through contract or piece-rate work, which commanded better rates.
The starting rate for permanent full-time staff after their first season was about $15.25 an hour, Mr van Beer said.
Rates increased with the acquisition of qualifications such as in welding and first-aid certificates.
A quality controller, who would have other jobs during the year such as machinery operator, would expect a starting rate of about $18-$19 per hour.
An experienced permanent staff member could earn about $25 an hour before becoming a foreman.
Managerial positions were often salaried, and started about $40,000 a year, he said.
However, at present, it was probably closer to $50,000 a year plus a vehicle and cellphone.
Otago Polytechnic Central Otago campus principal lecturer Alex Huffadine said pay in the industry was a complex issue, which the horticulture industry had to grapple with.
Seasonal workers on piece rates or contract rates often made ''all right'' money, and for fulltime workers, it depended on what industry-related skills or training they had.
While pay was a factor which could influence people's decision to work in horticulture, it was important to note there were jobs available in the industry ''tomorrow'', and there was demand for trained workers.
Like Mr van Beek, he said pay scales for horticulture were not particularly different from other industries.
Central Otago District Council economic development manager Warwick Hawker said wages varied greatly in the industry, with unqualified workers on base rates but - he had heard anecdotally - people in supervisory roles on ''quite good'' salary packages.
Often, those supervisory roles were hard to fill, he said.
Webbs Family Orchard owner-operator Simon Webb said smaller owner-operator orchards probably made a living rather making big returns on capital.
''It probably depends on debt level.''
For smaller growers, lifestyle played a part in being involved in horticulture, he said - ''it's a good industry, and I enjoy the industry.''
