FIELD      AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

 

Review of Irrigation qualifications

 

National Certificate in Irrigation (Evaluation) (Level 4) [Ref: 1127]

National Certificate in Irrigation (Design) (Level 5) [Ref: 1467]

 

The Primary Industry Training Organisation has completed the review of the qualifications listed above.

 

Replacement and new qualifications

 

New Zealand Certificate in Irrigation System Performance Assessment (Level 4) [Ref: 2555]

New Zealand Certificate in Irrigation System Management (Level 4) [Ref: 2556]

New Zealand Certificate in Irrigation System Design (Level 5) [Ref: 2557]

 

Date new versions published                                                          January 2015

 

The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2018.

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

The review occurred as a result of the mandatory review of Agriculture sector qualifications, part of the Targeted Review of Qualifications (TRoQ). The mandatory review involved extensive consultation with stakeholders working in and with the industry.  Consultation included meetings to discuss the need to review the qualifications, and subsequent meetings considered the proposed content of the qualifications.

 

Industry confirmed the on-going need for a suite of qualifications in this area that would recognise graduate capabilities and provide an education pathway for trainees.

 

The existing National qualifications have been replaced by New Zealand qualifications, as detailed below.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

National Certificate in Irrigation (Evaluation) (Level 4) [Ref: 1127]

replaced by

New Zealand Certificate in Irrigation System Performance Assessment (Level 4) [Ref: 2555]

 

Review category

C

See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report

 

National Certificate in Irrigation (Design) (Level 5) [Ref: 1467]

replaced by

New Zealand Certificate in Irrigation System Design (Level 5) [Ref: 2557]

 

Transition

 

The last date for entry to programmes leading to the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2016 from which point no new enrolments will be accepted.

 

The last date to meet the requirements of the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2019 at which point the qualifications will be designated discontinued.  From that date no results can be reported against the qualifications.

 

People currently working towards one of the replaced qualifications must complete all requirements by 31 December 2019. 

 

It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.  However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to the Primary ITO at the address below.  Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis.

 

Primary Industry Training Organisation

PO Box 10383

The Terrace

Wellington 6143

 

Telephone 04 801 9616

Facsimile 04 801 9626

Email standards@primaryito.ac.nz

Website www.primaryito.ac.nz     

 

 

Key to Qualification Review Categories

 

Category A

The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID

Changes are made to SSB name, contact details or purpose statement

No change is made to title, rules or components of the qualification

No transition arrangements are required

Category B

The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID

Changes are made to title, rules or components

The new version of the qualification recognises a similar skill set to that recognised by the previous version

The SSB is confident that people awarded the new or previous version are comparable in terms of competence

Transition arrangements are required if candidates must gain additional/different credits for the new version

Category C

A new (replacement) qualification is published with new NQF ID

Significant changes are made to the qualification in terms of components, structure, type or level

The SSB views people with the replacement qualification as being significantly different in terms of competence from those with the replaced qualification

Transition arrangements are required

Transition may be limited to phase-out dates

Category D

Qualification will expire.

There is no replacement qualification

Qualification is no longer required by industry

The qualification is designated as expiring and a last date for meeting the qualification requirements is set