Saturday, 07 November 2015 07:15

More learning on the job

Written by 

Primary ITO, the industry training organisation for the primary sector, is launching new qualifications for the agriculture sector this month.

The new qualifications will be filtering out to all primary ITO sectors – horticulture, sports turf, equine, seafood and food processing – over the next two years.

The new qualifications are aimed to "work the way you work" – more learning in the workplace and less time spent in the classroom.

"Our new programmes are designed with industry to ensure our learners leave with the skills and knowledge required to consistently perform in the workplace," says Graeme Couper, Primary ITO education manager.

"We want to ensure they understand the reasons behind the practical application, have the ability to perform to industry standards and have the skills to do the job they are employed to do.

"More training takes place in a workplace context, with structured field trips allowing learners to view different systems and discuss what's happening and why. Assessments are also more directly related to the workplace, with a variety of options for capturing evidence through technology and workplace based tasks."

The content of the training programmes will also be better matched to seasonal activities so learning can be implemented straight away.

For current Primary ITO customers, their current training programmes remain valid and they will have until December 2017 to complete them. Primary ITO's training advisers will talk with current students about what the changes mean and ensure any training is tailored to help meet their individual career or business aspirations.

"The new programmes are more holistic and applied," explains Couper. "Our overarching vision is to produce Primary ITO graduates with
the capabilities our industries need.

"We want to develop people who are adaptable to industry trends, technically capable, innovative problem-solvers with critical thinking skills. We must create lifelong learners and these new qualifications are a huge step in the right direction."

More like this

Shearing and wool courses

New ‘micro-credentials’ in wool harvesting will help meet a critical need to train shearers and wool handlers, claims Primary ITO chief executive Linda Sissons.

Hitting the books helps farmer taste success

Dairy farming is a hands-on industry, but Frankie Stevens discovered that understanding the theory and business practices that underpin a farm is the key to success, comments Primary ITO.

Upskilling helps tackle HR issues

The 2007 national Farm Manager of the Year award winner Emily Woolsey (32) and her husband Daniel, of Southland, had a good grasp of dairy farming, says Primary ITO.

Featured

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Alliance's Pure South cuts win gold

Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.

Dairy demand on the rise

There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.

National

Machinery & Products

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

Claas rings up some big numbers

The Claas Group finished fiscal year 2023 with a substantial leap in sales that reflected the high demand for agricultural…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Too late?

OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons moves by the new government to try and breathe new life into the country's ailing…

Going rogue!

OPINION: This old mutt suggests the new government is going to have to move fast to rein in a number…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter