Cantrain provides training for agricultural entry-level careers, as well as a range of specialist courses, for years 11 and 12 high school pupils. Geoff Allinson, of Oamaru, a Cantrain director and registered trainer, said he was training 300 pupils a year.
Over the 14 years since Cantrain was established in Oamaru, more than 4000 pupils had been trained around New Zealand, he said.
The demand for farm workers was high and a large number of young New Zealanders could gain positions on farms after initial training.
Some of the demand for Cantrain services was from overseas workers coming to New Zealand, Mr Allinson said.
His preference was to see New Zealand pupils gain positions on farms after undertaking Cantrain courses.
Demand by pupils for basic agricultural training in the South Island was strong although not as strong in the North Island, he said.
East Otago High School, at Palmerston, has run a series of Cantrain courses for years 11 and 12 Gateway pupils over several years.
Ten pupils were selected for the recent one-week course this year, East Otago High School Gateway and Star teacher and careers counsellor, Jacqueline Guile, said.
All 10 East Otago High school pupils passed, higher than the usual 70% pass rate.
The course concentrated on fencing and basic tractor work with theory and practical skills being taught by Mr Allinson.
Fencing work was undertaken on David and Jan Malloch's Sheanlarich property, near Waikouaiti, under the oversight of Palmerston fencing contractor Greg Oliver.
Mr Malloch said he was pleased with the standard of work carried out by the high school pupils and their tutor. It gave the young people a chance, he said.
The two-day tractor skills session was carried out on the East Otago High School grounds and on Jeff and Elizabeth Turner's adjoining property, with a school tractor and the Turners' tractor.
