This programme is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of graduates to the level where they can assist, under minimal supervision, with the implementation of aspects of primary industry operations involving use of machinery, specialist equipment and infrastructure maintenance within a rural context. Learners will gain skills which include the safe use of varied agricultural machinery, implements, technology, how to diagnose and complete maintenance on various agricultural infrastructure such as water supply, drains, tracks and fencing.
Students have a choice of elective combinations when enrolling on the programme which will be discussed with the tutor during the initial conversation.
Compulsory
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| NZAGOS3.0001 | Workplace Risks |
| NZAGOS3.0003 | Vehicle and Mechanised Equipment Maintenance |
| NZAGOS3.0002 | Personal Wellbeing |
Elective A
Choose four
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| NZAGOS3.0004 | Hay Baler |
| NZAGOS3.0005 | Feeder Wagon |
| NZAGOS3.0006 | Front Mounted Implement |
| NZAGOS3.0007 | Mowers |
| NZAGOS3.0008 | Post Driver |
| NZAGOS3.0009 | Tractor Carriage |
| NZAGOS3.0036 | Harrows |
| NZAGOS3.0010 | Quads |
| NZAGOS3.0011 | LUV’s |
| NZAGOS3.0012 | Two Wheelers |
| NZAGOS3.0013 | Chainsaws |
| NZAGOS3.0014 | Weed Eater |
| NZAGOS3.0015 | Hedge Trimmer |
| NZAGOS3.0016 | Post Hole Borer |
| NZAGOS3.0039 | Nutrient Spreader |
Elective B
Optional
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| NZAGOS3.0017 | Hand-held Cultivator |
| NZAGOS3.0018 | Tractor Cultivator |
| NZAGOS3.0019 | Mechanised Conveyer |
| NZAGOS3.0020 | Mechanised Sprayer |
| NZAGOS3.0021 | Seed Planter |
| NZAGOS3.0022 | Produce Harvester |
| NZAGOS3.0023 | Earth Excavator |
| NZAGOS3.0024 | Cherry Picker |
| NZAGOS3.0025 | Forklifts |
| NZAGOS3.0026 | Livestock Equipment |
| NZAGOS3.0027 | Use Technology in Primary Operations |
| NZAGOS3.0038 | Operate Milking Plant |
| NZAGOS3.0040 | Shearing Plant and Equipment |
Elective C
Choose two
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| NZAGOS3.0028 | Supply water |
| NZAGOS3.0029 | Drains |
| NZAGOS3.0030 | Tracks |
| NZAGOS3.0031 | Fencing Wire |
| NZAGOS3.0032 | Install Battens |
| NZAGOS3.0033 | Install Posts |
| NZAGOS3.0034 | Electric Fence Repairs |
| NZAGOS3.0035 | Fence Anchor Assemblies |
Outcome Statement and Pathways
Graduates of the Rural Operational Skills programme will be able to:
- Identify and assist with the management of workplace risks
- Plan and carry out operational activities using mechanised equipment with consideration for the environment
- Manage personal wellbeing when carrying out primary industry operational activities
- Operate specialist equipment for primary industry operational activities
- Carry out activities related to the maintenance of workplace infrastructure
Education Pathways:
On completion of this programme, students may progress on to the New Zealand Certificate in Farm Systems, (Level 3), New Zealand Certificate in Pastoral Livestock Production (Level 3) or the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with options in Arable Farming, Dairy Farming, and Livestock Farming, New Zealand certificate in Horticulture L3 and L4
Employment Pathways:
Graduates of this programme may be employed in a range of roles in primary industry enterprises requiring limited supervision, for example milk harvester, shepherd, dairy farm assistant or general farm hand, assistant in horticulture or viticulture operations.
Duration of Study
13 – 20 weeks full time or 22 – 34 weeks part time depending on the strand
Entry Criteria
Academic Achievement
Applicants should demonstrate an ability to succeed in tertiary study, shown by the completion of any of the following qualifications or courses of study:
National Certificate in Agriculture or Horticulture Level 2 and / or equivalent qualification or experience in the industry.
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.
Life Skills/Work Experience
Applicants who do not meet the academic entry criteria above may be admitted to the programme/course of study if they are able to demonstrate:
- Equivalent farming knowledge and skills; and/or
- Previous and relevant life skills or work experience; and/or
- Other formal or informal study such as to suggest likelihood of successful course completion.
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.
Rural Operational Skills (Level 3) FAQs
- This is a 40-60 credit NZQA course which will teach you how to use vehicles and equipment used on farm.
- You will gain your NCEA Level 3 in Primary Industry Operational Skills. On completion of this course, you will be able to competently use and maintain small motors, vehicles and specialised equipment used in rural operations.
- There are plenty of options within the elective modules to design a programme that fits with what you are currently doing or what you want to learn.
- You will need NCEA level 2 or above, or equivalent.
- You must be 16 years of age or older
- 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.
- 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 the National Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (Level 3) which is an NZQA recognised qualification. Knowing how to use the equipment in rural operations is essential to the running of any rural industry.
- Having this qualification will show that you are capable to use the necessary equipment in a rural based industry.
- This course is available either part-time or full-time, depending on the study location.
- This course is mainly based around practical work. You will have around 70% practical work, with 30% paper-based theory work. You will be completing record book assessments throughout the duration of the course.
- Please contact us to enquire about the cost of participating in this programme.
This will depend on where you are planning on studying from. Please fill in an enquiry form or call us on ‘0508 TRAIN ME’ for more details.
- We have a range of modules available you can choose from to build your programme. The equipment needed for these modules is required for you to be able to choose them as an option – for example, you can only take the Quad course, if you have access to a quad bike.
- Land Based Training is able to provide some, but not all, the equipment needed for this course. Some modules may require you, or your farm to provide the equipment. A discussion with our tutors, prior to enrolment, can be had around the modules we are able to provide equipment for and what is most relevant for your workplace.
This course is run in Palmerston North, Taranaki and Whangarei – With more to come! Call us on ‘0508 TRAIN ME’ to register your interest or find the closest course to you.
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.