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)
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.
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.
- For your study, you’ll get to choose between focusing on sheep, or dairy cattle. You will also have a choice in elective, either learning about Quad Bikes, or Motorcycles, in an agricultural context.
- You must be a NZ or Australian citizen or have NZ residency. You cannot do this course if you are here on a work visa.
- Be aged 16-year-old or older (15½ with MOE Exemption)
- Meet the relevant funding pool requirements – TEC Youth Guarantee
- Call us on ‘0508 TRAIN ME’ if you have any other questions about enrolments and eligibility.
- 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 Palmerston North, and Taranaki, 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.