WHAT WILL YOU LEARN

• Use of farm vehicles 
Intensive training on the safe use of quad bikes, farm motorcycles, tractors and chainsaws.
• Pasture control 
An introduction to grazing and pasture management.
• Fencing training 
Methods of livestock control with fencing methods.
• Animal health 
Skills in dairy herd health care and animal handling.
• Livestock feeding 
Knowledge of seasonal livestock demands and feeding systems.
• Dairy shed hygiene and milking 
Preparation for milking, milking procedures and equipment cleaning.
• Injury and Safety factors training
The identification and elimination of farm hazards.

EMPLOYMENT

We work closely with several agricultural recruitment agencies who will assist you to gain either seasonal, part-time or full-time employment on a dairy farm. However this cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability of vacancies’

Please note this agriculture course is not a pathway to residence in New Zealand.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS WILL YOU GET

New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2)*

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Due to recent Immigration NZ changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, Vision College has amended the Entry Criteria for the International Agriculture Programme.

• Applicants must have a Bachelor's Degree
• In the last 2 years, must have passed a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE academic) with minimum 29 overall (or an equivalent test result as found on this webpage: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/english-language/english-language-test-results-for-the-accredited-employer-work-visa
  
• International students must be aged between 18-40 years of age at the start date of the programme of study, not when they make the application.
• Prospective students must have applied for and been accepted on a study visa, not a visitor’s visa.
• May have to show a source of funds and provide a history of payments in their bank accounts that go back 6 months. Immigration NZ may require this.
• Must have completed an agriculture-related qualification of at least 3 months duration. This is the minimum requirement. Preference will be given to those applicants who have  verifiable experience in agriculture.
• Have paid all monies required before the course start date.

• We strongly recommend that students stay in a Homestay environment which Vision College Ltd is happy to arrange. Vision College has a person that is contracted to find Homestays that are safe and comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice 2021. If applicants wish to use this service they need to complete the Homestay Application form.

  However, applicants can use other Homestay providers in Hamilton. If applicants wish to stay with family members or friends, they can do so, but must complete an ‘Exemption from Homestay’ form. Accommodation must be in Hamilton or within 10kms from Vision College and an indication as to how the applicant is going to get to and from Vision College.

  Homestay is important as a way of introducing applicants to the New Zealand way of life and also encouraging conversations in English.

PLEASE NOTE

• Prospective students will need a driver's licence.
• Height - We cannot accept a student who is 5’3” (160 cm) or under, as this is a health and safety issue and are at risk of injury during milking.
• A Conditional Offer of Place will be given to all applicants at the time of application. Payment of fees will confirm the applicants place on the next available intake. If the intake is full at the time of payment, the applicant will be placed in the next intake that has space, as a confirmed enrolment.
• Approved visa details must be provided as soon as possible
• If an airport pickup has been request, the Airport Pickup Request form must be completed and sent to Vision College along with payment
• Students enrolling in the Certificate in Farming Skills (Level 2* will be required to obtain a work visa once they have been offered a position on a farm.  Vision College use the services of a Hamilton based company, that finds placements and assist students to process work visas. The cost for this service is $1207.00 and the work visa application of $1540.00. Students who choose to use another recruiting agency will need to cover the costs of that agency.  Vision College will not be responsible for the student’s application for a work visa, or if the employment relationship does not work. Note: Students who start with one agency and shift to another may be liable for costs in both agencies.