New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4) (Crop Production)

Enhance your skills with the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4) - Crop or Livestock Production. You will further your training and learn about organic production growing systems, their environments, and day-to-day operational management of an organic primary production operation.

This programme, delivered by the Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust (BHU), gives you hands-on experience in crop production, and integrates mātauranga Māori into its course delivery.

Campus
Biological Husbandry Unit (BHU)
Qualification
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
60
Duration

17 weeks full-time

Up to two years part-time

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

$12,500.00 (incl. GST). See International.

Course Outline

Further your organic production training and learn about organic production growing systems, their environments and day-to-day operational management of an organic primary production operation.

The aims of the qualification are as follows:

  • To gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to working with day-to-day operational management of an organic primary production operation
  • To enable further training in the organic primary production sector
  • To provide a programme of study that will enhance the knowledge base of organic production growing systems and environments for those working, or intending to work, in the sector

Learners will benefit by having an organic production qualification within a training pathway that recognises progression through the primary industry, as well as increased skills and knowledge acquisition to enable improved job performance.

This programme is delivered onsite by the Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust (BHU). More information about the BHU can be found at www.bhu.org.nz (Lincoln, Christchurch)

Course Content

All papers compulsory.

This is a full time programme, however, part time over 2 years may be available on request. Please enquire with us before enrolling if you wish to study part time.


ENVI4201 Organic Primary Production Operations

Credits: 15

Aim
The aim of this course is for learners to understand organic and compliance requirements and identify how these are applied to successful organic primary production operations.

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate an organic primary production operation.
  • Explain how organic standards and compliance requirements are applied to organic crop or livestock production.


ENVI4202 Soil and Nutrient Management

Credits: 15

Aim
The aim of this course is for learners to gain an understanding of soil health practices and apply management strategies to improve soil quality and nutrient availability.

Learning outcomes

  • Implement and monitor soil and nutrient management practices to improve soil quality in an organic crop or livestock production system.
  • Describe factors and practices affecting soil health and fertility in the context of an organic crop or livestock production system.


ENVI4203 Biodiversity Management

Credits: 15

Aim
The aim of this course is for learners to gain an understanding of biodiversity improvement practices and apply management strategies to improve biodiversity within an organic production system.

Learning outcomes

  • Describe the benefits of improving biodiversity within an organic production system.
  • Apply strategies to implement and monitor biodiversity practices to improve biodiversity in an organic production system.


ENVI4204 Organic Crop Production

Credits: 15

Aim
The aim of this course is for learners to carry out specific production activities to implement and monitor an organic crop plan over a full production season.

Learning outcomes

  • Implement and monitor an organic crop production plan over a full production season to satisfy organic compliance requirements.
  • Undertake specialised production activities related to organic crop production to meet industry requirements.
Career Opportunities

Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed as an:

  • Organic orchard/vineyard supervisor or leading hand
  • Organic crop supervisor or team leader or technician
  • Organic crop monitor
  • Organic nursery specialist
  • Organic farm production supervisor or assistant supervisor
  • Organic pastoral or arable supervisor
  • Mahinga Kai supervisor
Application Criteria

School Leavers

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and have achieved NCEA Level 2, including:

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

Mature Applicants

Applicants aged 20 years or over at the time of enrolment may be considered if they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in the programme.

Evidence may include successful completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above and/or at least one year of employment in a related sector.

Admission may be subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager, as appropriate. Personal commitment and belief in your ability to succeed will also be considered during the selection process.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where English is not the language of instruction in schools, must provide evidence of one of the following:

  • NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance; or
  • an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A Level qualification where teaching and assessment were conducted in English; or
  • a 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 (equivalent to New Zealand primary school Years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (equivalent to three years of New Zealand secondary school Years 9 to 13) at schools in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, where English was the language of instruction; or
  • successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (equivalent to New Zealand secondary school Years 9 to 13) at schools in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, where English was the language of instruction; or
  • successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours Degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree taught in English by a tertiary education provider in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States; or
  • successful completion of one of the internationally recognised English proficiency tests below at the required level. All scores must be achieved in a single test taken within the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment.

Recognised English Proficiency Tests

  • IELTS (General or Academic): Overall score of 5.5, with no band score lower than 5.0.
  • TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT): Score of 530, with an essay score of 4.5 TWE.
  • TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT): Score of 46, with a writing score of 14.
  • Cambridge English Examination: B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 162, with no less than 154 in each skill.
  • OET: Minimum Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests.
  • NZCEL: Level 4 (Academic).
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic): PTE Academic score of 42, with no band score lower than 36.
  • LanguageCert: B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS, with no less than 25/50 in each skill, and Spoken (S) PASS.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II, with no less than a Pass in any band.
Additional Information

This programme of study is supported by the Biological Husbandry Unit Organic Farm located in Lincoln. Information about the Biological Husbandry Unit can be found at: https://www.theorganiccollege.org.nz/ or by calling their office at 03 325 3684

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