This month, our Academy cohort met for the final time in the 2024 programme, concluding a jam-packed year of personal growth, learning and experiences in the field for all participants. The PGG Wrightson Academy is a learning and development course for our team members, aimed at expanding their knowledge base and growing their expertise across our business. Participants also obtain a National Certificate in Rural Servicing (Level 4), offered through PrimaryITO. 

The 2024 cohort’s final sessions began at the Christchurch Wool Store, where they presented their project dissertations to their peers and a judging panel including our CEO, Stephen Guerin. The participants impressed the judges with the depth of their knowledge and how they tackled some of the issues our farmers and growers are facing. Kelly Sullivan, Store Manager Wanganui, took out the coveted PITO Award for Presentation Excellence.

The Academy then headed off to Hanmer Springs for a two-day training session with the Datamars Livestock team, hosted by one of our valued customers, Glynn Wye Station. It was here that they completed multiple modules related to the Datamars business, including setting up a temporary electric fence, completing an earthing module and diagnosing faults in an electric fence. All in all, it was great couple of days out on farm and we appreciate the Datamars team’s continued support of the PGG Wrightson Academy programme. 

Finally, on Friday night the big event took place—the Academy Graduation Night. A wonderful chance for everyone to dress up and celebrate the effort of the last year. It was also the perfect opportunity to hand out awards to those participants who went the extra mile in the programme.  

Well done to our 2024 Dux, Ben Chambers a Trainee Technical Field Representative based out of Darfield. Ben impressed the convenors with his hard work in the store and with his clients, excellent assessment quality and community service as a dedicated local volunteer fire brigade member. The full list of award winners is: 

• PITO Award for Presentation Excellence - Kelly Sullivan 
• Academy Spirit Award - Bridie Caldwell 
• Academy Growth Award - Mandy Sanders 
• Academy Futures Award - Rose Barker 
• CEO Challenge Award - Kelly Sullivan, Amy Bentley and Emily Apatu 
• Dux Proxime Accessit - Kelly Sullivan 
• Dux - Ben Chambers 

Congratulations to the winners and to all of our 2024 Academy cohort. You have dedicated your time and hard work to the programme, and we hope the personal growth you have shown, the skills you have learnt and the experience you had over the course of the year will serve you well in your careers. A big thanks must also go to our Academy convenors - Milton Munro, Matt McLauchlan and Emma Constable - who work hard to make the Academy a success.