Fruit Production

Fruit Production Courses Available

We are currently offering five National Certificates in the Fruit Production area:

National Certificate in Horticulture (Practical) (Level 1)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) (Level 2)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) 
National Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) (Level 4)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) (Advanced) (Level 4)

Dates

Training is designed to occur while you are in employment, so you can start training with the NZHITO anytime during the year.

Duration

National Certificates in Horticulture:

Level 1 - 40 credits - 6 months
Level 2 - 70 credits - 1 year
Level 3 - 105 credits - 18 months
Level 4 - 140 credits - 2 years
Level 4 (Advanced) - 210 credits - 3 years

The Fruit Production apprenticeship is designed to take three years to complete, so if you become a modern apprentice you will be working towards the National Certificate in Horticulture (Fruit Production) (Advanced) (Level 4) qualification.
However don't forget that training with the NZHITO is self-paced and competency based, so the harder you work at your qualification the quicker you can complete it.

Location

The majority of your training will take place in your place of work, however it maybe necessary for you to attend some training away from your workplace when we cover specialist areas of study.

Entry Criteria

You need be employed within the horticulture industry and have a desire to learn.
If you don't yet have a job in horticulture your locally based NZHITO representative may be able to help you find one.

For more details about the programme currently being offered in the Hawke's Bay region please click here to download their brochure. (664kb)

Course Content

planting, packhouse skills, pack & dispatch, grading & sorting, Plant identification, use and maintain tools & small equipment, harvest crop, pruning & training, pollination, support structures, plan a fruit crop, post harvest treatments, quality assurance, supervisory skills, record keeping, weed identification & management, pest & diseases, plant identification, botany & physiology, tractors/ATV’s, irrigation, soil management, fertilisers.

How to get into apprenticeships and training

For more information on how to get into an apprenticeship or training in the vegetable sector please contact the NZHITO click here for the contact in your region. 

Industry Support

The fruit sector of horticulture has always had a strong tradition of training, formerly represented by the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation, the NZHITO board representative for the fruit sector now comes from Horticulture NZ. The organisation that is Horticulture NZ, was formed when the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation and Vegfed combined in 2005.

Horticulture New Zealand (Hort NZ)

P O Box 10232,
Wellington

Phone: (04) 472 3795
Fax: (04) 471 2861
Email: info@hortnz.co.nz
Website: www.hortnz.co.nz