New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Nursery Production) (Level 3)

• An enjoyment of working outdoors
• Physical fitness
• Planning and organisational skills
• Good communication skills
• An eye for detail.

• Open entry.

This programme is not available to international students.   

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.  

This programme is based in your workplace with regular visits from your programme facilitator. You will also have the opportunity to attend some block courses at the Central Campus. You will build your experience and knowledge of the techniques required to propagate and grow commercial nursery crops, as well as identifying, naming and selecting plants for a range of sites. The courses in this programme include:

• Communication (10 credits)
• Nursery Plant Care (15 credits)
• Plant Identification and Selection (15 credits)
• Propagation (15 credits)
• Plant Science (15 credits).

You should expect to spend a minimum of 10 hours a week on this programme.

Advance your knowledge with our online New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Level 4) (Fruit Production).  

TTAF

The Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) is currently running but will end in December 2022. That means only your part-time study undertaken in 2022 will be covered. You may be able to get some financial help for your remaining study through the Fees Free scheme if you’re eligible (see info below).

Whilst this programme is free for you to study during 2022, the TTAF fund only covers tuition fees and compulsory costs such as student levies. It does not cover any additional costs or living costs. 

You can pay for additional and living costs yourself if this is possible.

As a part-time learner, you're generally not eligible for student loans and allowances through Studylink but some help may be possible depending on your circumstances (for domestic students). Check the Studylink website for more information.  

Fees Free

The Government is also running a funding scheme called Fees Free for domestic learners. This scheme normally pays for your first year of study if you’ve never been enrolled in tertiary study over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher in New Zealand. They have confirmed that TTAF does not impact on a learner’s entitlement to also access the Fees Free scheme. 

So, you’ll be covered by TTAF for your first year of part-time study and, if you would have originally been eligible for Fees Free, you’ll be able to access that to cover some of your remaining part-time study. 

You can check your Fees Free eligibility here > 

Fees Free only covers your tuition fees. You would still need to pay for things like accommodation, living costs and placement transport costs.