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The EPIC Challenge is a programme run by Young Enterprise Trust with sponsorship from DairyNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries. Year 10 students work in groups to research careers available in the primary industries, and then create a marketing strategy to attract fellow teenagers to a specific career.

Harriette Baxter, Sinead Hallberg, Jordan Carswell and Callum McKay were announced as the national winners by the Hon. Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries. The four Year 10 students from Huanui College created a team called ‘Dairy Ain’t Airy Fairy’ and focused on promoting the careers across the dairy industry.

Their marketing strategy used a three-pronged approach:

• Matching personality types to jobs within the primary industries
• Social media callouts targeted at teenagers to grow awareness of the roles available
• A poster campaign throughout all New Zealand secondary schools

Young Enterprise CEO Terry Shubkin said the team won the competition for their innovative approach. “The judges said this entry won due to the focus on promoting a range of careers, and the application of an international model to careers promotion.”

Three other student teams from Mount Albert Grammar School, Huanui College and Aotea College were also recognised at the awards. The full list of winners announced was:

Dairy NZ Innovation Award

• Winner: Dairy Ain’t Airy Fairy, Huanui College
• Highly Commended: Sharemilking Team, Aotea College

MPI Future Focus Award

• Winner: Careers Expo, Mount Albert Grammar School
• Highly Commended: Get Stuck in the Ocean, Huanui College

National Champions

• Winner: Dairy Ain’t Airy Fairy, Huanui College

The EPIC Challenge was offered to over 3000 secondary students throughout the country. More than 100 teams from 80 schools submitted an entry into the national competition, with many students commenting on how their knowledge of the primary industries had improved.

“Students told us they learned about the sizes and scale of the primary industries, and many were surprised by the range of jobs available,” said Ms Shubkin.  “They also learnt to differentiate between on-the-farm and off-the-farm roles, which is great news for the sector as a whole. We’re very proud to have worked with DairyNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries on this programme, and we congratulate all of our winners.”

-ENDS-

Image attached: Hon Nathan Guy with the winning students from Huanui College; Jordan Carswell, Harriette Baxter, Sinead Hallberg.

For more information, please contact:

Terry Shubkin – CEO, Young Enterprise – 021 611 312

About Young Enterprise: Young Enterprise works with students and teachers across the country. Our aim is to create enterprising school leavers with strong financial capability. Young Enterprise has resources for students of all ages and the resources are free to all New Zealand school teachers.

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