This is an entry level programme for students with an interest in the farming industry. The programme is aimed at teaching basic farming knowledge and skills to students with little or no experience in agriculture, so they can be successfully employed as junior farm employees in the cattle, dairy or sheep industries, and can proceed to higher levels of education within these industries.
Graduates will gain an entry level range of skills in agriculture. Some of these skills will include the ability to demonstrate knowledge of:
- Livestock scanning
- Breeds and classes
- Safe handling and health problems of dairy cattle (dairy option)
- Hazards, hazard control, and consequences of injury in a rural workplace
- Knowledge and features, attributes, identification, and records for sheep (sheep option)
We run two strands of this qualification. If you are studying in Hastings you will complete a strand in Sheep Farming. For all other areas your strand will be Dairy Farming.
Core Compulsory
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| VPAG2.01 | Livestock Handling |
| VPAG2.02 | Check Livestock |
| VPAG2.03 | Livestock Feeding |
| VPAG2.04 | Fencing |
| VPAG2.05 | Fencing Knots |
| VPAG2.06 | Fencing Tools |
| VPAG2.07 | Repair Broken Post and Wire in Fence |
| VPAG2.08 | Identify Fault in Electric Fences |
| VPAG2.09 | Weed Control |
| VPAG2.10 | Write to Communicate |
| VPAG2.11 | Read Text |
| VPAG2.12 | Spoken Interactions |
| VPAG2.13 | Number to Solve Problems |
| VPAG2.14 | Statistical Information |
| VPAG2.15 | Measurement to Solve Problems |
| VPAG2.16 | Health and Safety |
Elective
(must select either quads or motorcycle units)
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| VPAG2.17 | Ride Quad Bikes |
| VPAG2.18 | Safe Operation of Quad Bike |
| VPAG2.19 | Ride Motorcycle |
| VPAG2.20 | Safe Operation of Motorcycle |
Sheep Strand
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| VPAG2.21 | Dag and Ring Crutch Sheep with Prepared Equipment |
| VPAG2.22 | Wool Shed Tasks |
| VPAG2.23 | Docking |
| VPAG2.27 | Knowledge of Features for Sheep |
| VPAG2.28 | Demonstrate Knowledge of Breeds |
Dairy Strand
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| VPAG2.24 | Safe Handling of Dairy Cattle |
| VPAG2.25 | Milking |
| VPAG2.26 | Dairy, Effluent Design |
Outcome Statement
On completion of this programme, students will have knowledge and strategies for identifying future employment pathways and organising their personal finances, have the necessary basic knowledge and skills for working safely in either the cattle, dairy or sheep industries, with regards to stock handling, fencing and maintenance, and the use of farm vehicles.
Students will also be able to gain their NCEA Level 2.
Students will be able to apply progress to higher levels of learning such as those listed below.
- Ref: 2220 – New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Farming Systems), Level 3
- Ref: 2215 – New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Vehicles, Machinery and Infrastructure), Level 3
Duration
This programme runs for 26 weeks. Trainees spend four days per week on farm and one day per week in class learning theory units. This programme also enables Trainees to complete their NCEA Level 2.
Entry Criteria
To enrol you will need to be:
- A NZ Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- 16 years of age and over before the start of the course.*
In order to qualify for fees free funding you must be between the ages 16-24.
*15 year olds who hold Ministry-approved early exemption from their school may also be eligible. This exemption must be in place before the course starts.
This qualification is Fees Free for anyone aged 16-24
Vocational Pathway – Agriculture (Level 2) FAQs
- This course is an NZQA Vocational Pathways course, in the Agricultural sector.
- It covers over 20 different units, including Agriculture-based knowledge as well as literacy and numeracy skills
- Graduates of this course will have the necessary achievements to pass NCEA Level 2.
- By the end of this course, you will have completed a Vocational Pathway in Primary Industries (Agriculture). This is an NZQA accredited programme and will allow you to go further into your agriculture career.
- This course will give you the correct information and training for entering the agriculture sector.
This course runs for 26 weeks, full time only.
- This course is only available full-time. Course runs 4 days a week, with 1 day being available for catch up, or work experience.
- This is a paper and practical based course. You will be partially assessed on paper-based theory assessments, and partially assessed on practical assessments.
- This course is not available via distance learning.
- This course is Fees Free! No cost required when you meet the relevant funding pool requirements.
- You will have access to LBT equipment, gear and resources needed for this course.
You don’t need any qualifications to apply! This is an entry level course and will help build you up to do higher level courses.
Yes, you can! This course is designed for those who don’t have any Agricultural knowledge. You do not need to work on a farm to apply.
This course is currently held in Hastings, Whangarei, Hawera, Hamilton, Palmerston North, and Masterton, with more locations to come. Call us on ‘0508 TRAIN ME’ to register your interest or find the closest course to you. You can find a full map of all our courses here: Where to find us!
Learn more by enquiring today…
I got my level 3 Dairy Farming through Land Based Training. It was so cool. I met nice people and the tutor is awesome. I class them all as the naki whanau
Yeah the best course around to be honest. Learnt so much!
I’m a level 2 Horticulture student and the tutors are so awesome and supportive. The other students are cool, we are a fun bunch. I have learnt so much in a short amount of time.
Awesome course, learning heaps & loving it! Free knowledge, a priceless gift I will always be grateful for.