New InfraTrain Rural Contractor qualifications

Media Release

03 March 2009

New InfraTrain qualifications for Rural Contractors and Agrichemical Applicators

InfraTrain, the infrastructure Industry Training Organisation, has completely revised and updated its range of national certificates for the agricultural industry.

These qualifications have been developed in partnership with Rural Contractors New Zealand, the national organisation and leading advocate for rural contractors in New Zealand.

The new qualifications suit all levels of work – from entry through to management level:

• National Certificate in Rural Contracting (Introductory Skills) - Level 1
This qualification and provides an excellent starting point for people new to the rural industry.

• National Certificate in Agricultural Contracting - Level 3
Designed for people with some experience in the industry, this qualification has optional strands in specialist areas such as Fencing, Harvesting, and Land Development.

• National Certificate in Agrichemical Application - Level 3 or 4
This qualification, together with a minimum of 200 hours practical agrichemical application experience, is recognised by the New Zealand Agrichemical Education Trust (NZAET) as a prerequisite for the GROWSAFE® Registered Chemical Applicators’ Certificate.

• GROWSAFE® registered applicators are a requirement in a growing number of Regional Council Air Plans. In addition, the New Zealand Transport Agency (incorporating Transit NZ) specifies in their tender documents that an agrichemical sprayer must be under the direct supervision of a GROWSAFE® Registered Chemical Applicator.

• National Certificate in Rural Contracting (Management) - Level 5
This qualification recognises the skills and knowledge to manage a contracting business that employs staff. It is a flexible qualification which can be tailored to meet individual and business requirements through completing a strand in either Rural Contracting or Agrichemical Application.

John Wills, Chief Executive of InfraTrain said, “The qualifications are the result of significant investment by InfraTrain, and have been developed as a result of significant consultations with Rural Contractors New Zealand to ensure that they are fit for purpose and relevant to the industry.

“The qualifications aim to upskill staff and raise productivity. They should be part of best practice within the agricultural contracting industry.”

Roger Parton, Executive Director of Rural Contractors New Zealand said, “Having qualified staff will become increasingly important to securing export markets in the future. Overseas buyers are now demanding proof that not only is the supplier appropriately qualified, but those contracting to the supplier are also qualified.

“An investment in training will therefore be good for you, your staff and your future business.”

Today, the large investment in sophisticated machinery, compliance with health and safety legislation, and issues of accountability mean there is an increasing need for rural contractors and agrichemical applicators to have the right skills and knowledge – and a qualification to prove it.

In the past there has been reluctance towards gaining qualifications within the agricultural contracting industry because they were seen as time consuming and difficult to achieve. However, InfraTrain emphasises that there are few obstacles to getting qualified and that qualifications can be achieved by everyone in a reasonable timeframe.

Skills and knowledge needed to complete the qualification are gained through on-job training, rather than in classrooms. Evidence of these skills and knowledge is collected in a workbook for verification and assessment against the unit standards in the qualification. A wide range of support is available to help trainees in achieving their qualification – a mentor is assigned to help them through the process and InfraTrain regional advisors provide additional guidance.

Many experienced staff already have a lot of the skills and knowledge they need – the qualifications have the benefit of giving them formal recognition that these skills are at a certified national standard.

While getting qualified is no longer a big issue, the benefits are huge. Skilled, qualified staff are more productive, and training is good for staff motivation and retention. InfraTrain believes it is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

ENDS

www.infratrain.co.nz