Heinrich Rencken was awarded the Level 4 Poultry Industry Trainee of the Year award for his work towards his National Certificate in Poultry Management, Level 4, the first year the award has gone to a trainee in the egg industry.

This year the Level 3 Poultry Industry Trainee of the Year award had dual recipients. The award was jointly given to Tichaona Mabunu Jowringo for his achievements completing his National Certificate in Poultry Husbandry-Poultry Meat Production, Level 3, and Scott Amor for achieving his National Certificate in Poultry Husbandry- Egg Production, Level 3. Scott was also the first in the egg industry to receive this award.

Tichaona Mabunu Jowringo travelled to Auckland for lunch with the PIANZ board and to accept his award, whilst Heinrich Rencken and Scott Amor attended the Eggs Inc Conference Dinner.

AgITO key account manager, Sharon Orr, was involved with the selection process.

Ms Orr said: "Our eligible trainees are ranked on their theory grades as well as their practical work. All three winners have worked hard to achieve their qualifications. Our two Level 3 winners have both been inspired to move up to complete the Level 4 qualification.

"We’d like to congratulate Heinrich, Tich and Scott for their hard work and to acknowledge their employers for supporting them to achieve.

Heinrich Rencken is now working for Inghams in Matamata but received the award whilst working for Otaika Poultry Farm in Whangarei.

"I was very excited, I didn’t expect it at all," he says.

Originally from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa where he also worked in the poultry industry, Heinrich has been in New Zealand for two years. He began training through AgITO to further his studies and gain extra knowledge.

"I’m now doing my First Line Management qualification," he says. "I want to become a manager – I’m currently a leading hand at Inghams at the moment."

Scott Amor was also surprised by his win.

"I knew I was nominated but it was a surprise when I won – it was a good thrill," he says.

Scott is currently the 2IC for family business Amor’s Eggs in Gisborne and has also completed his Modern Apprenticeship through AgITO. Now studying towards his National Certificate in Poultry Management, Level 4, Scott says his career goal is to stay in the family business and to one day manage Amor’s eggs.

He recommends AgITO training to other people wanting to get ahead in the industry.

"It’s good to have the knowledge behind what you’re doing," he says. "You might be able to do it all practically but you need to understand why you’re doing it."

Tichaona Mabunu Jowringo, away on his honeymoon when this media release was issued, was deserving of the award, says his manager at Tegel New Plymouth, Blake Camden.

"Tich is an adviser out in the field giving advice to our contract chicken growers. He has great organisational skills and develops a great relationship with the growers," he says. "His role draws on the knowledge he learned in the qualification – knowledge is key to improving results out in the field."

Michael Brooks, Executive Director of PIANZ, is enthusiastic about the benefits training brings to his industry.

"We have worked closely with AgITO to develop a range of qualifications from Levels 2 through to 4," he says. "We see it as absolutely essential for our industry that a training pathway is provided – we wish to see excellence through all elements of our industry.

"Our recognition of the Trainees of the Year is part of that process. Heinrich, Tich and Scott represent the desire for excellence of which the industry is proud."

To enrol or for more information about AgITO’s qualifications, call your local AgITO adviser on 0800 691 111 or visit www.agito.ac.nz.