New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) – Fruit Production

This is a Level 3 programme of 75 credits and has 750 total learning hours. It is designed for people who want to develop practical skills and knowledge for work in the horticulture industry particularly in fruit production. It is suitable for people who have some general horticulture experience, people who want to work in horticulture, small block owners and mature learners who wish to build their knowledge of fruit production practices.

Workplace learning
The programme is delivered through face to face and blended learning. Practical learning may include workplace learning in a fruit-production environment alongside relevant fruit production work.
PCTI works with horticulture employers including Garcia Contractors to provide suitable workplace learning opportunities. PCTI is the education provider and is responsible for programme delivery, enrolment, learner support, assessment and awarding the qualification.

Duration and learning commitment
The part time programme is delivered over 30 weeks including 28 teaching weeks and two scheduled holiday weeks.
Each teaching week includes approximately 21 hours of classroom based and practical training and 6 hours of self-directed learning. This is an average of 27 learning hours per week.
Work-based learning hours may be integrated alongside class and practical sessions. These may include paid or unpaid arrangements as agreed with employers and in line with industry practice.

What you will learn
The programme includes the following modules:

• Employer Expectations and Work in a Team
• Soils, Growing Media and Fertilisers
• Food Safety – Production / Pre-Harvest
• Use of Horticulture Vehicles and Machinery
• Integrated Pest Management
• Perform Routine Tasks within a Fruit Production Context

Assessment
Assessment is competency based and is completed against the programme learning outcomes. Learners may be assessed through oral or written questioning and tests, practical activities, projects or workshops, observation of workplace processes, observation of completed work, workplace checklists, verification or attestations.
Where possible, learners will use naturally occurring evidence from real workplace situations.

Entry requirements
Applicants must:

• Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and/or meet open-entry academic requirements.
• Be physically able to work within a horticulture operation.
• Meet applicable funding eligibility requirements.