New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills

Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to obtain entry level roles in the primary sector, for example farm assistant, turf labourer, orchard worker, harvester, vineyard hand, assistant beekeeper, stable assistant, stud farm hand, store assistant, fish filleter, deckhand and mussel opener.

• Demonstrate a keen interest in working in the primary industries, as evidenced through a letter of intent and/or curriculum vitae.
• Applicant must be 16 years or over and preferably not hold an existing Level 1 or 2 qualification.
• Applicant must have a reasonable level of fitness required to carry out duties on farm and can meet the physical demands of farm work.

Special Admission

Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, a mature aged applicant who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.

Selection criteria for entry into programmes of study are restricted by SIT and apparent eligibility may not lead to automatic acceptance. Applicants must demonstrate attributes, which in the assessment of SIT should lead to success. Such attributes may include:

• Evidence of past achievement in study and/or programmes 
• Desire and commitment to obtain primary industry skills at this level 

Attributes may be assessed through:

• Curriculum Vitae 
• Selection interview 

Where SIT is satisfied that it is necessary to do so because of insufficiency of staff, accommodation, or equipment it may determine the maximum number of students who may be enrolled in a particular course of study. Where the number of applications for enrolment exceeds the number of places in any case where such a limitation applies, the criteria for selection shall be academic merit and suitability for admission to that course of study. Eligible students not admitted to their chosen course of study will be placed on a waiting list and/or may be referred to another programme. Applications should be received by SIT no later than the applications due date. Late applications may be considered, subject to availability of places.

Applicants may be required to attend an interview, or if they live at some distance from the campus, complete a telephone interview (must produce copies of applicable certificates/evidence of prior achievements before interviews).

The Head of Faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the programme. All enrolments in the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) are approved at the discretion of the Programme Manager in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff, as required.

To satisfactorily complete Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve: 

• Maintenance of 80% attendance for all papers;
• The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) full-time over 12 weeks or longer period of time for part-time. 

Please note: students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit zero fees entitlement.