New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3)

Bruno Roberts - Farming

“I wanted to pick up from when I was farming a few years ago, to learn more and update myself on the paperwork. I moved up here from Auckland where I was doing furniture removal and landscaping but my wife now works on a dairy farm so the motivation is there.”

“Experiencing everything on the course is exciting for me. I love both the theory and practical but writing my ideas on paper is a challenge. The tutor and my partner support me in that and there’s a great team spirit here so we all bring our experiences and learn from each other.”

“I want to be a farm manager and maybe add options like AI or other technician contracts to broaden the mix. I also want to pass on what I’ve learned to the young generation. Passing it on is a strong driver for me.”

Connie Chaplin - Agriculture

“This feels like real learning on the job. We’re getting work experience here on the farm as we learn new things and I love everything about it – especially that I get to have my own working dog.”

Connie didn’t grow up on a farm but was surrounded by the rural world and has always had a passion for animals, the land and outdoors. “I won top agriculture student from Vocational Primary Industries at school last year and wanted to study further. NorthTec is close to home and it feels a privilege to be on this farm and working stock. Getting my dog, Kim, was an added bonus of being here at the right time.”

“I’m amazed at how quickly I pick things up and how natural the farm feels for me. Measuring chemicals for drenching or doing the maths for dry matter testing is a stretch for me but the tutor makes it relevant and achievable. He’s really amazing, approachable and knowledgeable.”

“I now have a plan for my life, have started on it, and know what I’m doing. I want to go sheep and beef farming after the course because I love stock handling and stock raising but I’ll work on a dairy farm if I can’t find that. My dream is to own or manage a sheep and beef farm with a team of dogs.”

“If you can’t find what you want to do in life, take a step, give something a go and see what happens. Things unfold.”

Danyon Stuart - Agriculture

“I’ve come on board this course because my mother doesn't want me to own a tractor until I know how to drive it safely, plus I want to start working on a dairy farm and want to be able to drive the machinery there safely as well. I also want to upskill in farming in general. I grew up on a sheep and beef farm owned by my grandfather and I’m ready to learn more now than just the labouring side of it.”

“I know and like NorthTec because I’ve previously done a horticulture course here to figure out soils. The best part of this course is mucking around on the machinery, moving trucks and mowing out in the paddock. I like using the old equipment because it’s harder to use and that gear is still out there on some farms.”

“Fencing is also part of our course and I’m surprised to learn that I’m not as good at it as I thought I was. I had done some with my grandfather and he had it sussed, but I’m now learning how much I didn't know.”

“Some of our classmates are experienced and some are totally new to farming but we’re all learning at our own speed. I like to watch the tutor use the machinery like the tractor, the 125 motorbike and the quad truck, then when he trusts that we’ve got it, we get to have a go.” 

“When I finish here, if I can get a job on a dairy farm I’ll take it, or if not, I’ll do the next course here which is on cattle and pastures. My long-term dream is to travel and apply my skills. Eventually, I’ll come back home, get a piece of land and farm it the way I want to, which is as green as possible.”

Kaea Taitoko - Agriculture

“I left school and was looking online for agriculture training because it was one of my interests. When I saw this course I wanted to give it a go so I came to the interview and started the next week. I commute from Kerikeri to Kaikohe four days a week and I love it.”

“Being outdoors with the animals and learning new things are the best parts of the course for me. The study needs some self-discipline but I’ve made it a priority. The tutors make sure we get our work done and are with us 100 per cent of the way.”

“It’s good for me to get new experiences. I’ve met new people, I’ve milked cows for the first time and I’ve even conquered my fear of bulls. I’m a hands-on person and being outside gives me a feeling of being free.”

“Completing this course will help me achieve bigger things. It’s a really good knowledge foundation and from here I hope to move on to Telford for full-time study in sheep and beef farming. I’d like to run my own farm, make money and do things for people.”

Renee Skinner - Agriculture

“I’ve re-found my love of learning here. I always did well at school until year 12 when the system changed and I found the class pace too slow and the environment too noisy, so I turned off learning. I did the basics to pass but missed some things I needed.”

“So I came here straight from school to sign up for foundation study to get into nursing. The course was cancelled but the agriculture tutor happened to walk in while I was waiting - and I signed up for that instead. I’m so glad I did because I’m really enjoying it and it’s helped me love learning again. I still plan to become a nurse but I’m taking advantage of this now.”

“I grew up in the bush and love animals so I’ve always enjoyed being outside, and I like the physical aspect of this course. We’ve learned how to fix a fence, catch calves, use tools, milk cows, drive a quad and cut firewood. It means that as well as being useful on a farm, we have those skills for our own lives. I always ask heaps of questions because I’m keen to understand.”

“My challenge is realising that my lack of confidence often holds me back. This course is helping push me out of my comfort zone to try new stuff and then I find out it’s easy. A lot of the other students are older and I enjoy their maturity because everyone wants to learn and we’re all focused. We’re paying for this so there’s a lot at stake.”

“Now that I’m keen to learn again, I want to get As. So far my assessments have all been marked A, and that includes a practical component. When I get my certificate I’ll try and get a job, ideally in agriculture to utilise my year of study, but I’ll do any job so I can be financially independent.”

“My dream would be to somehow combine being a farmer and nursing. I’m not sure yet what that could look like. I’m still young so there’s time to explore some options.”

Lyric Moa - Farming

“I was brought up in the country so when I found out about this course I was keen to jump on. When I did level 2 which was really practical, the tutor asked me if I wanted to continue to level 3.”

“I love everything about the course and I’m even getting through the written assessments OK. The students are a good team and some of us knew each other from school. The course gives us more possibility of getting a job. I’d like to work in the north, probably around Dargaville, but I’ll jump straight onto the Agricultural Maintenance course if I don’t have a job by the time the course finishes.”

“I’d love to go farming myself but will start by working for someone.”

Trae Harrison - Agriculture

“I love being outdoors every day and learning by doing. This course is nearly all practical and any theory relates directly to what we’re doing.”

“I wasn’t coping at school and I knew the course was happening here because I moved next door to this farm a few years ago. I’m amazed at how fast the day goes. I love the variety of work and that there is a team here every day. We usually work in groups of two and can choose from allocated tasks. We often make a point of choosing stuff we’re not so good at.”

“Getting agriculture skills is a stepping stone for me because I’m keen to join the military and have applied for positions in all three forces. This course gives me the skills for something I can do after my military career or if I miss out.”

“If I do go farming, the advice I’m getting is that dry stock is the way to go.”