Those who enjoy a hands-on approach to learning with the outdoors as their classroom are likely to find EIT’s Certificate in Applied Practical Skills – Land Skills a good fit.
Students enrolled in the programme acquire various land skills through practical experiences which include working with sheep and cattle on EIT’s farm, making compost , tending veggie gardens, working in glasshouses, driving tractors and ATVs , using chainsaws, handling dogs, building chicken runs and making cheese and bread.
Nearing the end of their 17-week programme, the first students in this new EIT offering are eagerly anticipating tasting the ‘fruits of their harvest’ at an end-of-programme feast. The celebration for students and their families will be based solely on produce grown and reared by the class.
Land Skills student Mariah says of the programme: “The wide range of outdoor activities will certainly help in the next step in my career training.”
Weighing up what she might do next, the 17-year-old is considering studying agriculture or animal care – both of which are offered at EIT.
Lands Skills certificate programme subjects that include agriculture, horticulture, animal care, tree care and forestry are largely taught, not in the classroom, but outside on the farm. Landscaping and gardening projects are progressed on campus and in the institute’s glasshouses and vineyard using EIT’s fleet of tractors and ATVs. Beyond EIT’s gates, students may try their hand at beekeeping, mushroom farming, olive growing and lavender farming.
The certificate programme is an opportunity to those eager to work towards a career based outdoors but who are unsure of which industry to choose.
One of the students, Carissa, enthusiastically says of the programme’s content: “It’s pretty darn good!”
Carissa is also thinking about a future in animal care and possibly agriculture as the next step towards a rewarding land-based career.
Designed to give a taste of the many and varied land-based industries that underpin Hawke’s Bay’s economy, this entry level-one qualification leads to a diversity of options through further EIT programme pathways.
The certificate programme has embedded literacy and numeracy to assist with study skills. EIT’s strong guidance networks support students towards achieving this qualification and in making decisions about the next step in the qualification pathway.
The Land Skills programme is open to students of all ages.
Those accepted under the Youth Guarantee Scheme are not required to pay course fees. This Government initiative targets students aged 16 -17 who may have lost motivation at school or who lack a clear pathway for further education, training or work and need a boost to move into tertiary education.
A limited number of places are available for Semester Two which starts in July, and teaching staff encourage would-be students to enrol now to avoid disappointment.