This course is available for free!*
If you enjoy working outdoors and want to build practical skills, this course is a great first step into primary industries careers with a focus on the agriculture and horticulture sector. You’ll learn how primary industry workplaces operate, how to use tools and equipment safely, and how to complete real tasks in farming and growing environments.
Whether you’re looking to start a career, build practical skills, or try something new, this course gives you a solid foundation across both agriculture and horticulture environments.
Learning is practical and hands-on, with time spent in real or simulated environments such as farms, orchards, nurseries, and gardens. You’ll take part in real-world tasks that help you understand how primary industry workplaces operate, how to use tools and equipment safely, and how to follow instructions on-site.
You’ll also have opportunities to apply your skills in real-life scenarios and community-based projects, giving you valuable experience you can take into the workforce or into further study in Farming systems or horticulture.
* Spaces are limited and eligibility conditions apply. Contact our team for more information today.
Course Details
You will gain an entry level range of skills in agriculture. Some of these skills will include the ability to demonstrate knowledge of:
Livestock scanning
Breeds and classes
Safe handling and health problems of dairy cattle (dairy option)
Hazards hazard control and consequences of injury in a rural workplace
Knowledge and features attributes identification and records for sheep (sheep option)
Core Compulsory
Course Code | Course Name |
VPAG2.01 | Livestock Handling |
VPAG2.02 | Check Livestock |
VPAG2.03 | Livestock Feeding |
VPAG2.04 | Fencing |
VPAG2.05 | Fencing Knots |
VPAG2.06 | Fencing Tools |
VPAG2.07 | Repair Broken Post and |
VPAG2.08 | Identify Fault in |
VPAG2.09 | Weed Control |
VPAG2.10 | Write to Communicate |
VPAG2.11 | Read Text |
VPAG2.12 | Spoken Interactions |
VPAG2.13 | Number to Solve |
VPAG2.14 | Statistical Information |
VPAG2.15 | Measurement to Solve |
VPAG2.16 | Health and Safety |
Elective
(must select either quads or motorcycle units)
Course Code | Course Name |
VPAG2.17 | Ride Quad Bikes |
VPAG2.18 | Safe Operation of |
VPAG2.19 | Ride Motorcycle |
VPAG2.20 | Safe Operation of |
Sheep Strand
Course Code | Course Name |
VPAG2.21 | Dag and Ring Crutch Sheep |
VPAG2.22 | Wool Shed Tasks |
VPAG2.23 | Docking |
VPAG2.27 | Knowledge of Features for Sheep |
VPAG2.28 | Demonstrate Knowledge of Breeds |
Dairy Strand
Course Code | Course Name |
VPAG2.24 | Safe Handling of Dairy Cattle |
VPAG2.25 | Milking |
VPAG2.26 | Dairy, Effluent Design |
On completion of this programme, you will have the knowledge and strategies to identify future employment pathways and manage your personal finances. You will gain the basic knowledge and skills needed to work safely in the cattle, dairy, or sheep industries, including stock handling, fencing and maintenance, and the safe use of farm vehicles.
You will also be able to achieve NCEA Level 2 as part of this programme.
Duration
This programme runs for 26 weeks. You will spend four days per week on farm and one day per week in class learning theory units. This programme also enables you to complete NCEA Level 2.
Academic:
Open Entry
Domestic students with ESOL: must be proficient in English language.
This programme is currently only offered to domestic students.
FEES FREE STUDY
To find out if you are eligible for Fees Free study please find out more here or visit the Inland Revenue page on Fees Free.
YOUTH GUARANTEE
This course is part of the government led Youth Guarantee Programme. If you are aged 16-24 and meet the course entry requirements, you may qualify to study this course for free. Spaces are limited, contact our team for more information. Under the Youth Guarantee you may also be eligible for financial support to cover the following:
Travel allowance
Course related field trips
Talk to us for more information.
STUDENT LOANS
If you meet certain conditions you can get a student loan and allowances. Find out if you meet the conditions by calling StudyLink on Freephone 0800 88 99 00 or visit www.studylink.govt.nz.
COURSE COSTS
Domestic Students
Campus Course Costs: $0
Student Services Levy: N/A
This course is available for free!*
*Spaces are limited and eligibility conditions apply. Contact our team for more information today.
Course Start Dates
I got my level 3 Dairy Farming through Land Based Training. It was so cool. I met nice people and the tutor is awesome. I class them all as the naki whanau.
Yeah the best course around to be honest. Learnt so much!
I’m a level 2 Horticulture student and the tutors are so awesome and supportive. The other students are cool, we are a fun bunch. I have learnt so much in a short amount of time.
Awesome course, learning heaps & loving it! Free knowledge, a priceless gift I will always be grateful for.
Vocational Pathway – Agriculture (Level 2) FAQs
By the end of this course, you will have completed a Vocational Pathway in Primary Industries (Agriculture). This is an NZQA accredited programme and will allow you to go further into your agriculture career.
This course will give you the correct information and training for entering the agriculture sector.
This course is only available full-time. Course runs 4 days a week, with 1 day being available for catch up, or work experience.
This is a paper and practical based course. You will be partially assessed on paper-based theory assessments, and partially assessed on practical assessments.
This course is not available via distance learning.
This course is Fees Free! No cost required when you meet the relevant funding pool requirements.
You will have access to LBT equipment, gear and resources needed for this course.
Yes, you can! This course is designed for those who don’t have any Agricultural knowledge. You do not need to work on a farm to apply.
This course is currently being offered in Palmerston North, Whangarei, Hawera, Hamilton and Masterton.