TATC - Agriculture in Schools

Agriculture in Schools

We have a number of programmes aimed at young people, specifically designed to give them the opportunity to connect with agriculture before deciding if it is a career path they would like to choose.

STAR/Gateway
Practical Skills
Primary Industry Trades Academy (PITA)

We offer school students the opportunity to initially work towards the National Certificate in Agriculture – Level 2 (Introductory Skills) and then onto the National Certificate in Agriculture – Level 2 (Strands in Dairy or Sheep). These qualifications are available to be completed through PITA or STAR/Gateway training.

STAR/GATEWAY Programme

Taratahi’s STAR/Gateway programme offers students in Year 11-13 the opportunity to complete the National Certificate in Agriculture—Level 2 (Introductory Skills) and National Certificate in Agriculture—Level 2 (Strands in Sheep or Dairy) by attending either weekly or fortnightly practical days, most of which are held at Taratahi’s campuses, in either the Wairarapa or Taranaki. Taratahi also offer an option for STAR/Gateway students to attend four x three day block courses, where students cover: Farm Hazards, Stock Handling, Water Supply and Pasture Management, and Agri-vehicles. Students completing block courses will still complete the same qualification; however the time to complete this may vary. For Gateway students who choose to complement their work placements by also completing practical training, we offer a farmer’s handbook for their work experience providers to assist them structure the student’s work placement days. STAR enrolment form here

PITA

PITA will help young people to experience and consider many of the primary industries employment opportunities available. Enrolment with PITA is designed to suit individual students. Attendance is structured to minimise disruption to normal secondary school activities and to maximise tertiary and work placement opportunities.

PITA is made up of:

work experience placements
residential block courses
mentoring programme
exploratory careers sessions

The PITA programme runs during terms one-three, leaving term four for students to focus on exams. PITA can be tailored to suit the school and the student which may mean more or less residential blocks or work placement days. How schools choose to be involved in PITA will determine how long it will take students to complete assessments and be awarded qualifications. PITA aims to achieve closer alignment between schools, the tertiary sector and industry.

To find out more about PITA click here.

Qualifications Available:

National Certificate in Agriculture Level 2 (Introductory Skills)

Students enrol/commit to completing the full qualification. This qualification could take up to two years to complete.

As most of the qualification is made up of practical unit standards Taratahi will deliver this qualification as practical courses only and deliver any theory work during the practical course timeframe.

Therefore there is no extramural work to be completed – just a compulsory requirement of completing a 30 day work diary for unit 23541.

Units offered by Taratahi to complete this qualification are listed in the table below:

19145	Describe hydration, nutrition and sleep in relation to physical well-being of agricultural workers
23540	Demonstrate knowledge of hazards, hazard control and the consequences of injury in a rural workplace
23541	Locate hazards, describe safety procedures and demonstrate safe work practices in a rural workplace Work diary to be completed
19112	Check and report of livestock
19114	Assist with handling and treatment of livestock
19116	Demonstrate knowledge of animal welfare and handling
31	Perform repairs on and connect up a basic on-farm water supply
24630	Assist with livestock grazing management, and feed livestock under supervision
19044	Describe the legal requirements and occupational hazards associated with tractor use
24552	Check and drive a basic wheel tractor with an attached implement
24554	Ride an ATV on flat terrain
24557	Demonstrate knowledge of safe operation of an ATV

Process:

Taratahi will run courses at dates negotiated by both the School and Taratahi. This will be outlined in the Memorandum of understanding and schedule of services.

The skills listed above will be integrated at each course, so that your student gets a greater opportunity to learn a new skill and practice the new skill over a period of time before being assessed. Apart from creating greater learner retention, It also allows the student to become familiar with seasonal changes especially around the higher risk skills such as farm vehicles and stock handling.

Taratahi will supply students with a student handbook, where they can also track their own success.

Gateway farmers can also be supplied with information regarding your students training with us. This will allow for a holistic training approach, so that the farmer can be aware of the skills needed and the skill level required for the student to pass this qualification. (Please ask if you require this).

Fees: please contact Taratahi regarding fees

National Certificate in Agriculture Level 2 (Dairy Strand)

This qualification follows on from the Level 2 Introductory qualification; any units standards completed in the Intro qualification will be crossed credited to this National Certificate qualification.

The remainder of the learning is based specifically around Dairy farming and allows the student to progress naturally through their learning paths, depending which strand they wish to complete.

The following standards are required to complete this qualification:

ID	Title
19106	Assist with handling livestock when moving and drafting, and when livestock are distressed
19112	Check and report on livestock
24630	Assist with livestock grazing management, and feed livestock under direct supervision
561	Install, dismantle, and store temporary electric fences
24832	Open and draw out a coil of wire, tie knots, join wire, and prepare wire for transport and storage
24833	Identify and maintain fencing tools and equipment, and identify fencing construction materials and wire types
24835	Identify the location of a fault in electric fences, and replace electric fence components
24554	Ride an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on flat terrain
24557	Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
24834	Replace a broken post, and repair a broken wire in fences
24620	Describe the safe handling of cattle in yards
24623	Demonstrate knowledge of breeds and classes of cattle, and identification and records for cattle
18191	Demonstrate knowledge of safe handling and health problems of dairy cattle, associated with milking
18193	Demonstrate knowledge of farm dairy design, and the effluent system
24548	Assist with milking

Fees: please contact Taratahi regarding fees

National Certificate in Agriculture Level 2 (Sheep Strand)

The remainder of the learning is based specifically around Sheep farming and allows the Student to progress naturally through their learning paths, depending which strand they wish to complete.

The following standards are required to complete this qualification:

ID	Description
19106	Assist with handling livestock when moving and drafting, and when livestock are distressed
19112	Check and report on livestock
577	Dag and crutch sheep by machine with prepared equipment
19146	Carry out wool shed tasks during shearing operations
19147	Describe the activities and hazards in a wool shed during shearing from a farm perspective
19152	Assist with the preparation and handling of lambs for docking
24641	Demonstrate knowledge of features, attributes, identification, and records for sheep
24643	Assist with easy care lambing
24630	Assist with livestock grazing management, and feed livestock under direct supervision
561	Install, dismantle, and store temporary electric fences
24832	Open and draw out a coil of wire, tie knots, join wire, and prepare wire for transport and storage
24833	Identify and maintain fencing tools and equipment, and identify fencing construction materials and wire types
24835	Identify the location of a fault in electric fences, and replace electric fence components
24554	Ride an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on flat terrain
24557	Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
24834	Replace a broken post, and repair a broken wire in fences

Fees: please contact Taratahi regarding fees

Skills courses

For students not wanting to complete a full qualification, we are able to offer one off skill courses. These courses are generally run over 3 or 4 days depending on the course. Choose from the following Skills:

Fencing skills NQF REF 1434

Unit	Description	Level	Credit
561	Install, dismantle, and store temporary electric fences	2	2
24832	Open and draw out a coil of wire, tie knots, join wire, and prepare wire for transport and storage	2	5
24833	Identify and maintain fencing tools and equipment, and identify fencing construction materials and wire types	2	3
24835	Identify the location of a fault in electric fences, and replace electric fence components	2	3

Description: http://www.taratahi.ac.nz/images/clip_image002.jpg

Farm hazards NQF REF 1433

Unit	Description	Level	credit
19145	Describe hydration, nutrition and sleep in relation to physical well-being of agricultural workers	2	4
23540	Demonstrate knowledge of hazards, hazard control and the consequences of injury in a rural workplace	2	5
23541	Locate hazards, describe safety procedures and demonstrate safe work practices in a rural workplace	2	5

Stock handling NQF REF 1433

Unit	Description	Level	credit
19112	Check and report of livestock	2	4
19114	Assist with handling and treatment of livestock	2	6
19116	Demonstrate knowledge of animal welfare and handling	2	2
Introduce 24630	Assist with livestock grazing management and feed livestock under supervision

Farm Vehicles NQF REF 1433

Unit	Description	Level	credit
19044	Describe the legal requirements and occupational hazards associated with tractor use	2	2
24552	Check and drive a basic wheel tractor with an attached implement	2	5
24554	Ride an ATV on flat terrain	2	4
24557	Demonstrate knowledge of safe operation of an ATV	2	3

Extramural Studies

Schools can purchase any theory unit standards depending on a student’s individual interest. Remember that these unit standards can later cross credit towards national certificates in agriculture.

Units can be purchased for $45.00 each, including GST.

Cost quoted can be subject to change.

Listed below are some units you may find interesting for your students including:

Dairy Farming

Sheep farming

Farm vehicles

Farm Hazards

Stock handling