New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 3)

Discover the key factors that influence organic production, explore the biotic interactions within organic ecosystems, and learn about soil and ground preparation techniques. Learn effective methods for controlling weeds, animal pests, and diseases in organic farming activities.

Campus
SIT Online
Qualification
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
50
Duration

17 weeks full-time

Up to two years part-time

Intakes are 17 weeks long

Dates
TBC
Fees
This programme qualifies for SIT Zero Fees. Terms and Conditions apply. Click here for more information.
Tuition Fees

Zero tuition fees

Direct Material Costs

$8.00 per credit (incl. GST)

International Fees

$100 per credit (incl. GST). See International.

Course Outline

Learn about the factors influencing organic production, the biotic interactions which occur in organic production ecosystems, soil and ground preparation for organic production, and how to control for weeds, animal pest, and disease in an organic production activity.

The aims of the qualification are as follows:

  • To gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to working or further training in the organic primary production sector
  • To provide a base for learners to progress to more advanced studies in organic primary production
  • To provide a programme of study that will enhance your knowledge base of organic production growing systems and environments for those working, or intending to work in the sector
Course Content

All papers are compulsory.


ENVI3201 Organic Production

Credits: 10

Aim
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to apply organic principles, certification and organic compliance requirements.

Learning outcomes

  • Describe the principles of organic production.
  • Describe organic certification available in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
  • Apply inputs for a crop in an integrated organic production system.


ENVI3202 Organic System Health

Credits: 15

Aim
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to carry out system health activities.

Learning outcomes

  • Describe management techniques for common pests, diseases, disorders and weeds found in an organic production system.
  • Apply integrated pest management techniques to an organic production system.


ENVI3203 Soils and Composting

Credits: 15

Aim
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to understand basic soil properties and apply processes for soil health in an organic system.

Learning outcomes

  • Describe soil properties and processes relevant to organic production.
  • Describe soil management techniques in organic production.
  • Apply soil amendments to support soil health in organic production.


ENVI3204 Biodiversity in Organic Production

Credits: 10

Aim
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to understand and carry out biodiversity improvement practices.

Learning outcomes

  • Describe the methods and benefits of improving biodiversity in an organic production system.
  • Support and enhance biodiversity in an organic production site.
Career Opportunities

At the successful completion of this programme, students will have the required competencies to function successfully and effectively at entry levels within the horticulture sector. Graduates of this qualification may be employed, or self-employed as an:

  • Organic orchard worker
  • Organic vineyard worker
  • Organic greenhouse worker
  • Organic crop worker
  • Organic nursery worker
  • Organic farm assistant/worker
  • Organic pastoral farm worker
  • Organic arable farm worker
  • Mahinga Kai assistant/worker
Application Criteria

School Leavers

Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2 as follows:

  • 60 credits at Level 2 or above, plus 20 credits from any level, and
  • Literacy – minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either specified assessment standards available through a range of subjects and English for Academic Purposes, unit standards 22750 and 22751 (minimum total of 10 credits), or unit standards – package of three literacy unit standards (26622, 26624, 26625 – all three required)
  • Numeracy – a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either achievement standards – specified assessment standards available through a range of subjects (minimum total of 10 credits), or unit standards – package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required)

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate.  Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment


IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE) 
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) 
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill. 
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests 
NZCEL - Level 3 (General) (Workplace) 
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36 
Language Cert - B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than PASS in each skill 
Trinity ISE - ISE I with no less than distinction in any band

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