FIELD                 AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

 

Review of Horticulture qualification

 

National Diploma in Horticulture (Level 6) [Ref: 0292]

 

The New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (NZHITO) has completed the review of the qualification listed above that was registered in 1997.

 

Date review completed                                                             November 2005

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

Since registration in 1997, the National Diploma in Horticulture has been offered in its entirety by only two providers throughout New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic in Cromwell, who offered it as a two-year full-time programme, and The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand who offer it by distance learning.

 

Since 1997, 48 trainees/students have been awarded the National Diploma in Horticulture at Level 6.  While it does provide higher level horticultural management skills than the National Certificates in Horticulture Level 4 to allow people to take up positions of greater responsibility in the industry, the very low number of graduates of the programme since 1997 shows that it did not achieve its primary purpose.  In addition, the National Diploma in Horticulture is running parallel with perfectly acceptable but under-subscribed diploma programmes at both Lincoln and Massey Universities.

 

During the last three years, the Horticulture ITO has progressively worked towards developing an integrated education framework where horticulture programmes in secondary schools feed into polytechnic and industry training programmes which in turn feed into university programmes.  To address the industry skill shortage, there must be strong, viable horticulture training programmes in secondary schools, polytechnics, in industry, and at university level.

 

In August 2004, a survey was sent to all current NZHITO Registered Workplace Assessors and Horticulture Accredited Providers to determine the industry's response to the fate of the National Diploma.  A paper summarising this survey was presented to NZHITO staff for discussion, and at the November meeting of the NZHITO Board, it was agreed that the National Diploma in Horticulture be designated expiring.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

The outcome of this review is for the National Diploma in Horticulture (Level 6) [Ref: 0292] to be de-registered from the National Qualifications Framework.

 

Transition

 

The last date for award of version 2 is December 2007.

 

NZHITO intends that no existing candidate part way through the qualification be disadvantaged by its expiry.  Any person who feels that they have been disadvantaged by these transition arrangements should contact NZHITO at the address below.

 

The last date for award of version 1 is December 2006.

 

Standard Setting Body

 

New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training Organisation

PO Box 8638

Riccarton

CHRISTCHURCH

 

Telephone               03 964 4735

Website                   http://www.hortito.org.nz/default.shtml