FIELD                 AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

Review of Agrichemical Application qualification

National Certificate in Agrichemical Application with strands in Livestock External Parasites, Total Vegetation Control, Aquatic, Broadacre, and Brush [Ref: 0229]

The Infrastructure ITO (Connexis) has completed the review of the qualification listed above.

Replacement qualification

New Zealand Certificate in Agrichemical Application (Level 4) with strands in Aquatic, Broadacre, Tree and Vine Horticultural, Targeted Weed Control, and Total Vegetation Control [Ref: 3984].

Date new versions published                                                          February 2019

The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2023.

Summary of review and consultation process

Connexis conducted the review of the qualification with industry stakeholders from March 2015 to November 2018.  Meetings were held in Christchurch and Wellington to review the qualification outcomes and develop a qualification relevant for industry with strand outcomes that reflect current industry practice.

Main changes resulting from the review

The differences between the replaced qualification and the new qualification included:

· Title changed to reflect the revised strands.

· Credits decreased from 79-105 to 60-70.

· Strategic purpose statement and graduate profile outcomes updated to reflect the revised strands.

· Livestock external parasites strand removed due to low use.

· Tree and Vine Horticultural Strand added to include orchard and vine sprayers.

· Brush strand renamed to Targeted Weed Control.

National Certificate in Agrichemical Application with strands in Livestock External Parasites, Total Vegetation Control, Aquatic, Broadacre, and Brush [Ref: 0229]

replaced by

New Zealand Certificate in Agrichemical Application (Level 4) with strands in Aquatic, Broadacre, Tree and Vine Horticultural, Targeted Weed Control, and Total Vegetation Control [Ref: 3984]

Review category

C

See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report

Transition

The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification is December 2019.

The last date for assessments to take place for the replaced qualification is 31 December 2020, at which time the qualification will be discontinued.

People currently working towards the replaced qualification may either complete the requirements for the qualification by 31 December 2020, or transfer to the replacement qualification.

All new enrolments will be into the replacement New Zealand qualification.

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

Infrastructure ITO (Connexis)

PO Box 2759

Wellington 6140

Telephone     0800 486 626

Email              qualifications@connexis.org.nz

Website          www.connexis.org.nz

Key to Qualification Review Categories

Category A The qualification is published as a new version with the same NZQF 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 NZQF 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 NZQF 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