Training and qualifications

Primary Sector Group

Seven ITOs make up the Primary Sector Group:

• Agriculture ITO
• Equine ITO
• Forest Industry Training and Education Council (FITEC)
• Horticulture ITO
• NZITO
• Seafood ITO
• Sports Turf ITO

These ITOs are working on a project around qualification harmonisation, to create shared qualifications among members, and to work towards the creation of a joint strategic training plan. This is expected to result in a rationalisation in the number of primary sector qualifications available.

The Agriculture ITO, FITEC and the Horticulture ITO have developed the New Zealand Primary Industry Trades Academy (to open this year) to create a smooth transition from school to work or further tertiary education studies.

Funding for this academy will be provided by the Ministry of Education, with training undertaken at tertiary providers being funded by the TEC.

There will initially be 150 places for trainees, involving nine schools in a three-year programme. The programme has more than half of the learning taking place through work placement with regional employers.

For more information about these activities, please get in touch with the ITOs involved. Contact information for ITOs can be found at the Industry Training Federation’s website.