Pest Operations Courses (Level 3)

Pest Operations Courses (Level 3)2025-12-10T20:06:22+12:00

This programme is designed to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge required to carry out pest control or pest monitoring in a rural or urban environment. Learners will gain skills which include identifying and controlling hazards, basic survival skills, communication skills, biodiversity, safe vehicle use during pest operations, pest identification, biology, control and monitoring skills, safe firearm, traps and poisons use to control animal, plant and insect pests.

This programme is targeted at individuals who have recently begun working in the pest operations industry or who wish to enter the pest operations industry. The programme has strands in either rural, or in and/or around built urban environments and students can choose the strand option they wish to study upon enrolment.

Compulsory across all Strands

Course CodeCourse Name
NZPO1.001Safety in the Workplace
NZPO1.002Workplace Communication
NZPO1.003Pest Control Impacts

Rural Pest Control Strand

Course CodeCourse Name
NZPO1.004Operate Vehicles for Pest Control
NZPO1.005Rural Pest Identification – Control (Animal and Plant)
NZPO1.006Control Rural Pests (Animal)
NZPO1.007Control Rural Pests (Plants)
NZPO1.008Capstone – Control Rural Pests

Rural Pest Monitoring Strand

Course CodeCourse Name
NZPO1.009Operate Vehicles for Pest Monitoring
NZPO1.010Rural Pest Identification – Monitoring (Animal and Plant)
NZPO1.011Monitor Rural Pests (Animal)
NZPO1.012Monitor Rural Pests (Plants)
NZPO1.013Capstone – Monitor Rural Pests

Outcome Statement

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

  • Maintain health and safety in a range of conditions
  • Communicate, report and record information for workplace requirements.
  • Identify the purpose and impacts of pest operations.

Graduates of the Rural Pest Control strand will also be able to:

  • Operate vehicles in a rural environment
  • Identify and control a pest type in a rural environment

Graduates of the Rural Pest Monitoring strand will also be able to:

  • Operate vehicles in a rural environment
  • Monitor a pest type in a rural environment

Graduates of the Urban Pest Control strand will also be able to:

  • Identify, control and monitor pests commonly found in an urban environment

Education Pathways

On completion of this programme, students may progress on to the New Zealand Certificate in Pest Management (Level 4) with strands in Pest Animal and Pest Plant.

Employment Pathways

Graduates of this qualification may be employed in a range of roles in Pest Control enterprises requiring limited supervision to identify pests and control methods, operate vehicles and monitor operations.

Duration

  • Full-Time 26 Weeks
  • Part-Time 52 Weeks

Entry Criteria

Academic Achievement

  • NCEA L1 or equivalent
  • Applicants who do not meet this academic entry criteria may be admitted to the programme if they are able to demonstrate equiv. pest control and/or monitoring knowledge and skills.

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 5.5 or above (or equivalent) for enrolment.

Any person using firearms to meet the requirements of this qualification must meet the legislative requirements to hold a firearms license and/or controlled substance license. Appropriate vehicle licenses must be held by people using vehicles to meet the requirements of this qualification.

Other requirements

Learners must hold an appropriate vehicle licence if required to drive on the open road

Domestic students with ESOL

Must be proficient in English language

The cost of this programme is $1,798 inclusive of GST

Pest Operations (Level 3) FAQs

Where is this course run2025-11-27T22:32:23+12:00

Napier and Palmerston North

What is this course about?2023-07-04T11:08:19+12:00
  • This is an 80 credit NCEA course, that teaches you how to carry out pest control or monitoring in a rural and/or urban environment. 
  • You will achieve your NZQA Level 3 in Pest Operations. Graduates of this course will have the skills and knowledge to be a capable and confident worker within many of the jobs in the pest control sector. 
  • Our full course covers both Operations and Monitoring for pest control. 
How will this course benefit me in the workforce?2023-07-04T11:12:45+12:00

By the end of this course, you will have completed the National Certificate in Pest Operations (Level 3) which is an NZQA recognised qualification. This is sought after in the Pest Operations industry. After doing this course, you will have a higher chance of being employed in a Pest Operations role.  

How long does this course run for?2023-07-04T11:09:46+12:00

This course runs for 26 weeks full-time or 52 weeks part-time. 

How is this course structured?2023-07-04T11:11:12+12:00
  • This course is made up of practical work and online theory work.  
  • Practical work is made up of completing tasks which your tutor will then observe as well as collecting evidence of you completing the tasks. There will also be a final project at the end of the course which you will complete and incorporates everything you have learnt throughout the course. 
  • Theory work is done on our online learning platform – Canvas 
How much does this course cost?2025-11-27T22:34:53+12:00

The cost of this programme is $490 inclusive of GST

I don’t work in Pest Operations; can I still apply?2023-07-04T11:14:10+12:00

Yes! Working in the Pest Operations industry is not a requirement for this course. 

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

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

Contact Info

191 St Hill Street Whanganui, 4500

Phone: 0508 TRAIN ME

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