Certificate in Agriculture

Telford Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3)

Why study with Telford?

Modern farming requires a blend of practical on-farm skills with up-to-date knowledge of farm management and industry practices. Telford’s 37 week programme is designed to give you the skills to be a modern progressive farmer.

Telford offers small classes with a ‘HANDS ON’ training emphasis. On average, two out of three weeks will involve farm placements or workshop modules. In addition to Telford Farms you will gain experience on external farms.

Programme Content

Studying agriculture at Telford gives you the opportunity to learn a variety of farming skills that will serve you well in your career as a farmer. These include livestock handling, shearing, welding, fencing, quad bike and tractor driving, pasture management, weed and pest management and animal reproduction, to name a few. This programme places significant emphasis on developing practical skills, with at least 65% of course content involving hands-on learning. Field trips are always an enjoyable part of the year and add another valuable dimension to the course.

Throughout the year you will also study sheep, beef, dairy and deer farming systems.

During regular work experience at Telford, you will either work on one of our farm units or on other farms in the Otago/Southland regions. Many students are offered employment through their work experience.

Telford has 30 dog kennels, so you may have an opportunity to bring a heading dog in the second semester.

You can expect to cover topics such as

Livestock 1 - Shearing, milking, livestock handling, butchering, livestock products, livestock production
Land Skills 1 -  Hazard management, quad bikes, tractors, water supplies
Agronomy -  Pastures, crops, climate, soils, fertilizers, agrichemicals
Workshop Skills 1 - Fencing 1, mechanics 1, welding, farm forestry, life skills 1
Livestock 2 - Livestock health, livestock handling, livestock feeding and nutrition
Livestock 4 - Livestock breeds, livestock breeding and reproduction, livestock handling
Workshop Skills 2 - Fencing 2, mechanics 2, life skills 2,  applied workshop skills
Land Skills 3 - Working animals, pasture diary, environmental sustainability, sustainable energy

Practical Projects

As part of the programme you will have an opportunity to integrate your learning and interests into various projects, e.g. design and build farm equipment, livestock production project, weeds and grasses project.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the Telford Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3), you will be able to confidently undertake a variety of agriculture related tasks, using your knowledge of agricultural practices and animal husbandry. Shepherds, contractors, farm assistants, shearers, stock agents, wool handlers, sharemilkers, and relief milkers are just a few of the positions in which our graduates are employed.

Qualifications

Telford Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3)

Unit Standards Towards

• National Certificate in Agriculture (Introductory Skills) (Level 2)
• National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3) with strands in Cattle Farming, and Sheep Farming
• National Certificate in Dairy Farming (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3)
• National Certificate in Agriculture (Stockmanship) (Level 3)
• National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Feeding and Pastures) (Level 3)

Concurrent Telford Qualifications (Optional Telford Campus)

• Certificate in Farm Management (Level 3)
• Telford Certificate in Shearing and Wool Handling (Introductory)

Duration

One academic year (37 weeks); February

Mid Year option available starting July (Telford Campus)

Entry Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be aged 16 years or over
• Have completed at least three years at secondary school, and achieved the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (Level 1), or equivalent
• Be confident they can succeed at Level 3 and have the physical ability to manage the work without putting themselves or others at risk
• Have adequate literacy and numeracy skills.

Note: International students require TOEFL of 500, plus TWE 4.5,
or IELTS of 5.5.

Other

Opportunities to gain your First Aid Certificate, Heavy Traffic and Firearms Licences are available through third party providers.

Second Year Option

You can return for a second year to study the Telford Diploma in Rural Business (Level 5) if you have successfully completed the Telford Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3). Please contact us if you want to know more about this course.

Locations

Telford Campus – Balclutha, South Otago

National Trade Academy (NTA) - Christchurch

Accommodation –Telford Campus

Five and seven day boarding is available in our on-campus hall of residence.

Course Fees

Correspondence Courses

Telford has a wide variety of part-time correspondence courses

Visit us at an expo, or come for a campus tour or enrol in Telford’s Taster Week

For more information please fill out our Enquiry Form or call us on 0800 835 367 (0800 TELFORD)