Field: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Change report for the review of Animal Care, Animal Management, Animal Technology, and Veterinary Nursing New Zealand Qualifications

Reviewed qualifications

[Ref]	Version	Qualification title	Level	Credits
2487	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish, Horses, Companion Animals, and Lifestyle Block Animals (Level 3)	3	70
2489	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with strands in Canine Behaviour and Training, Captive Wild Animals, and Companion Animals	4	120
2490	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with strands in Rural Animal Technician, and Veterinary Nursing Assistant	5	120
2491	1	New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6)	6	120

Review information

Qualification Developer	Primary ITO
Reason for the review	Scheduled 5 yearly review
Review date	December 2021
Outcome date	April 2026
Next review date	April 2026

Summary of review and consultation process

The qualification review commenced in August 2019 with meetings with the Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council and Primary ITO to discuss the industry in general, and the proposed plan for consultation with key stakeholders.  The AVPRC is a working group of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association

Expressions of interest to participate in the review were sent to stakeholders including providers in September 2019 and an External Working Group (EWG) was established with individuals from large and small businesses, a range of geographical locations, and providers who represented the industry sectors for whom the qualifications were designed for.  The first qualification review meeting was held in October 2019 with the EWG to discuss the current qualifications, how well they were meeting industry needs, and changes required to meet current industry requirements. Initial changes were proposed for the qualifications under review.

It became apparent through these early discussions that the training requirements of industry went beyond the current qualifications and that some key roles in industry were not covered by the current set of qualifications. 

A revised qualification pathway was developed in consultation with industry during early 2020 and considered by the Working Groups in July. Valid feedback helped inform the content of existing and new qualifications.  A key development at this stage was the need for Level 6 Diplomas in the areas of equine dentistry and animal rehabilitation as well as an animal healthcare qualification.

Further development work was carried out between August and October 2020 with individual industry groups representing the new Level 6 Diplomas as well as the qualifications under review to refine their content and to ensure they met industry requirements.

Consultation with stakeholders on the new and reviewed qualifications was carried out November 2020.  Qualifications were available on the Primary ITO website and all interested groups or individuals were invited to provide feedback.  Notifications were sent to over 100 industry stakeholders representing all the sectors covered by the review. 

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA), and Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) distributed the consultation link to their members through their own publications so every registered veterinarian and veterinary nurse/technician in New Zealand had the opportunity to view the qualifications and provide feedback. 

During the two-week consultation period two meetings were held as open Q&A sessions where industry was invited to discuss and provide feedback on the qualifications.  A meeting was also held with providers who had approved programmes or had an interest in the qualifications.

During this time AVPRC held skype meetings with NZVA and VCNZ to ensure there was a full understanding of the intention of the qualifications and how the roles could be most effectively utilised within veterinary practices.

The Working Group met to discuss feedback in November 2020 and changes were made to qualifications prior to sign off in December 2020.

Main changes resulting from the review

Changes made to the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish, Horses, Companion Animals, and Lifestyle Block Animals) (Level 3) [Ref: 2487]

· Change in structure from contexts to strands (Companion Animals, Equine, and Rural Animals) to allow recognition of the specific skills required for job roles, and associated change to the qualification title to New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3) with strands in Companion Animals, Equine, and Rural Animals [Ref: 2487]

· Fish context removed as the specialisation was not required at this level

· Horses context changed to Equine Strand to allow for assessment on donkeys as well as horses

· Lifestyle Block context changed to Rural Animals Strand to allow a more specific focus on job roles

· Education pathway expanded to include the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) with strands in Companion Animal Healthcare, Equine Healthcare, and Rural Animal Healthcare [Ref: 4388]

· Employment pathway amended to reflect current job roles associated with strands

· General conditions updated to reflect current industry expectations.

Changes made to the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with strands in Canine Behaviour and Training, Captive Wild Animals, and Companion Animals [Ref: 2489]

· Qualification title revised to the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with strands in Canine Behaviour and Training; Companion Animals; Fish, Amphibian, Reptiles; and Zookeeping [Ref: 2489]

· Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles Strand and associated outcomes added.  These species are not covered by existing qualifications even though they are the third most numerous pets in New Zealand after dogs and cats 

· Captive Wild Animal Strand changed to Zookeeping Strand as captive wild animals is an outdated term, and outcomes were updated to reflect current zookeeper requirements

· Core outcomes updated and new outcomes added to reflect overarching application of anatomy and physiology, and interpersonal relationships and ethical behaviour which was not previously covered

· Companion Animal Strand outcomes updated to better clarify the requirements of the role holder.

Changes made to the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with strands in Rural Animal Technician, and Veterinary Nursing Assistant [Ref: 2490]

· This qualification has been replaced by the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) with strands in Companion Animal Healthcare, Equine Healthcare, and Rural Animal Healthcare [Ref: 4388].

Changes made to the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) [Ref: 2491]

· This qualification has been replaced by the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) with strands in Companion Animal Veterinary Nursing and Equine Veterinary Nursing [Ref: 4389].

The following new qualifications were developed:

· New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology (Level 6) [Ref: 4391]

· New Zealand Diploma in Animal Healthcare Technology (Level 6) with Strands in Canine and Equine Rehabilitation Technology and Equine Dental Technology [Ref: 4390].

Review outcome

Reference	Version	Reviewed qualification	Outcome category	New qualification details/version (if applicable)
2487	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish, Horses, Companion Animals, and Lifestyle Block Animals (Level 3)	B-New version of qualification	2487-2
2489	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with strands in Canine Behaviour and Training, Captive Wild Animals, and Companion Animals	B-New version of qualification	2489-2
2490	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with strands in Rural Animal Technician, and Veterinary Nursing Assistant	C-New replacement qualification	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) with strands in Companion Animal Healthcare, Equine Healthcare, and Rural Animal Healthcare [Ref: 4388]
2491	1	New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6)	C-New replacement qualification	New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) with strands in Companion Animal Veterinary Nursing, and Equine Veterinary Nursing [Ref: 4389]
4390	1	New Zealand Diploma in Animal Healthcare Technology (Level 6) with strands in Canine and Equine Rehabilitation Technology, and Equine Dental Technology	New
4391	1	New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology (Level 6)	New

Qualification review outcome categories

Outcome	Result	Category
No changes are identified to the qualification	Qualification version number and NZQF ID remain the same. New review date is required.	A
Minor changes are identified to the qualification	New version of qualification is required (NZQF ID remains the same). New review date is required.	B
Significant changes are required to the qualification	New replacement qualification is required with a new NZQF ID. The existing qualification will expire.	C
The qualification is no longer required by industry	The qualification will expire with no replacement.	D

Transition information

Reference	Version	Qualification title	Last date of entry*	Last date of assessment
2487	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish, Horses, Companion Animals, and Lifestyle Block Animals (Level 3)	N/A	31 December 2022
2489	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) with strands in Canine Behaviour and Training, Captive Wild Animals, and Companion Animals	N/A	31 December 2022
2490	1	New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with strands in Rural Animal Technician, and Veterinary Nursing Assistant	31 December 2023	31 December 2024
2491	1	New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6)	31 December 2023	31 December 2024

*only required for outcome category C or D

Any additional information

It is the intention of Primary ITO that no existing trainee should be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may appeal to:

Primary ITO

PO Box 10383

The Terrace

Wellington 6143

Email: educationteam@primaryito.ac.nz

Phone: 0800 20 80 20