By the end of the Horticulture Apprenticeship Programme you will have completed three NZQA approved qualifications:

• NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (Specialist Equipment and Infrastructure) [Level 3], 40-60 credits

and through a Managed Apprenticeship:

• NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) [Level 3], 75 credits
• NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) [Level 4], 90 credits

Year One – NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (Specialist Equipment and Infrastructure) [Level 3]

You will complete this certificate in your first year of study.

The Level 3 qualification focuses on health and safety, agrivehicles, machinery and infrastructure such as tractors, light utility vehicles, fencing support structures, irrigation, mowers and chainsaws.

Year Two – NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) [Level 3]

In your second year of study you will complete the NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) [Level 3]. This qualification will provide you with skills and knowledge in crop health, propagation, pruning, agrichemicals, digital tools, irrigation, soils and team work.

Direct entry to Year Two may be granted for applicants with significant orchard experience.

Year Three – NZ Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) [Level 4]

The NZ Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) [Level 4] will be completed in your final year and will cover the implementation and monitoring of orchard operations, crop protection and management techniques.

As a graduate of the programme you will be able to pursue a professional career as an Orchard Leading Hand, Foreman, Manager or future Owner/Operator.

In particular, the programme is designed to:

• Provide stimulating collegial support for workers in horticulture.
• Offer work-place based training with supported theory study at EIT.
• Provide a clear pathway for study in Fruit Production.

Industry-based Training

You are required to commit yourself to working in the fruit production industry for the duration of the programme.

Courses will be operated from EIT Hawke’s Bay campus and orchard properties, with learning being directed by growers, industry experts and qualified EIT staff. You are expected to attend all scheduled classes. In busier times of the year some alternatives may be available for planning around work.

Courses will teach theory that underpins on-job practices in the work environment. Some tasks will be assessed on-the-job as well. On campus courses and on-the-job learning will complement each other as much as possible.

By the end of the Horticulture Apprenticeship Programme you will have completed the following approved NZQA qualifications:

• NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) [Level 3] 75 credits
• NZ Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) [Level 4] 90 credits

Year One – NZ Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) [Level 3]

This qualification will provide you with the skills and knowledge in pest and diseases, pruning, agrichemicals, digital tools, irrigation, soils and team work.

Year Two – NZ Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) [Level 4]

The NZ Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) [Level 4] will be completed in your second year and will cover the implementation and monitoring of fruit crops to achieve production goals and standards through orchard operations, protection and management techniques.

As a graduate of the programme you will be able to pursue a professional career as an Orchard Leading Hand, Foreman, Manager or Future Owner/Operator. In particular, the programme is designed to:

• Raise skill levels of horticultural staff.
• Provide stimulating collegial support for workers in horticulture.
• Offer work-place based training with supported theory study at EIT.
• Provide a pathway for ongoing and further study in horticulture.