Project Description

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)
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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

Applicants Must:

  • Be aged 16 to 19 years of age (15½ with MOE Exemption)
  • Have left school
  • Meet student residence requirements
  • Meet the relevant funding pool requirements – TEC Youth Guarantee

English Second Language Students

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools or other teaching institutions is not English, require an ELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 5 or above (or equivalent) for enrolment.

Tertiary Education Commission eligibility criteria may apply, please contact Land Based Training on 0508 872 466 for further information.

Life Skills/Work Experience

Applicants must have a desire to work in the Agriculture industry.

Selection Criteria

All applicants will be required to meet with the tutor or field officer of the programme they are applying for prior to starting – this will be an informal conversation which will include covering the programme expectations and getting a better understanding of suitability for the programme.  Where there are more applicants than places available or the programme is not the best fit, a waiting list will be kept or our team will work with you to provide a suitable alternative. On completion of this conversation the tutor will assist with filling in the full application form to move into the next part of the enrolment process.

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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

Pip Davis

Yeah the best course around to be honest. Learnt so much!

Brandon Te Kahu

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.

Kelly Wheatley

Awesome course, learning heaps & loving it! Free knowledge, a priceless gift I will always be grateful for.

Meredith Everett