Agriculture training venture investment in region’s future

New agriculture training venture an investment in region’s future

NorthTec has sealed a new education alliance with Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre to provide training to those wanting a start in the agriculture industry and those looking to acquire the skills necessary to assist with their farming endeavours.

Taratahi is the country’s oldest and largest provider of vocational agricultural training and has an established residential campus based in Masterton. It offers a range of programmes in the Wairarapa, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Rodney and is a renowned leader in the field of agricultural education. This was a key reason behind NorthTec deciding to partner with Taratahi, said Chief Executive, Paul Binney.

“This strategic partnership is important in meeting the ongoing and future training needs of the agricultural sector throughout Northland,” Mr Binney said. “The agricultural sector is important to the economic well being of Northland and it is critical that the appropriate training is provided to ensure that the sector continues to thrive.”

“Agriculture is Northland’s fourth largest industry and its biggest employer with dairy, beef, deer and sheep farms all operating in the region, meaning there is good potential for graduates to find work after completing their qualifications,” Mr Binney added.

He commented that not only would the alliance help graduates find employment but the contribution they then make to Northland’s economy would be considerable.

Taratahi and NorthTec are committed to meeting the needs of Northland, with the core philosophy of ‘real training on real farms’ underpinning the programmes. Taratahi Chief Executive, Donovan Wearing, is very optimistic and states that Taratahi is focused on providing the industry with the graduates that they are seeking.

“Our partnership with NorthTec will bring Taratahi’s well-established agricultural training programmes to students in the Northland region. Our educational delivery model is built on ensuring students gain real experience on real farms under the tutelage of experienced staff,” Mr Wearing said.

“Practical training is backed up with relevant theoretical knowledge and our graduates are ultimately well-sought after within the industry. This Taratahi/NorthTec partnership aims for an increase in the attraction, training and retention of skilled farm workers and is a real investment in the future of the region.”

For 2012 both the Level 3 National Certificate in Farming Skills (Work Ready) and the Certificate in General Farm Skills courses will be offered in Northland.

The National Certificate is being offered as a full-time, year long, course aimed at giving those wanting to enter the agricultural industry the knowledge to get them started. Students on the course will get the option of being able to focus on either sheep and cattle or dairy farming, while gaining all-round skills to be ready for their first job once the course is complete.

The General Farm Skills Certificate is a qualification that provides those either without any previous farm experience, or those seeking formal qualifications, an extensive range of course options, including: health and safety, forestry and agri-chemicals, ATV use, fencing, relief milking, calf-rearing, animal health, soils and fertilisers tractors and chainsaw use.

The courses will be held on a number of different farms and venues throughout Northland. Taratahi welcomes offers for further farms that can be used as training locations.

www.taratahi.ac.nz

ENDS

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