This qualification is intended for school leavers, people who may have changed careers, or adult learners new to the agriculture industry, all of whom would complete the qualification prior to employment in the agriculture industry.

The qualification is intended to provide people with a broad range of skills from across the agriculture industry that would be utilised over a full farming year.

This qualification shares many standards in common with agricultural qualifications at Level 2 such as the National Certificate in Agriculture (Introductory Skills) [Ref: 1433]; and the National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 2) with strands in Cattle Farming, Dairy Farming, Deer Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 1434]. However, these qualifications are designed for people who are already employed in the agriculture industry and have a clear employment pathway in a particular sector of the agriculture industry.

This qualification also has standards in common with agriculture qualifications at Level 3, such as the National Certificate in Agriculture (Cattle Breeding) (Level 3) with strands in Beef Cattle Farming, and Dairy Cattle Farming [Ref: 1436]; and the National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Feeding and Pastures) (Level 3) [Ref: 1435]. However, these qualifications are intended for a different target group who are already employed in farming operations and whose intention is specialisation within these specific farming operations.

This qualification is made up of elective sets which allow people the flexibility to select from a wide range of skills and knowledge applicable to specific aspects of farming as summarised below. Candidates are required to achieve a total of 70 credits at level 3 or above from the first 9 elective sets. The minimum requirements for each set total 63 of these 70 credits. Candidates must choose a further 7 credits at Level 3 or above from anywhere within the first 9 elective sets to achieve the required 70 credits.

The Livestock Handling elective set covers skills in the use of farm horses and livestock handling, as well as knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology, livestock health, and farm dogs.

The Personal Wellbeing and First Aid elective set covers knowledge of social requirements for daily living; advantages and disadvantages of rural employment; hydration, nutrition, and sleep for agriculture workers; and safety procedures. This elective also covers the skills relating to first aid, hazard control, and injury prevention.

The Vehicles and Machinery elective set contains four sets of which candidates are required to complete two. The sets cover All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) riding; All Terrain Vehicle Utility (ATVU) driving; motorcycle riding; and tractor driving and knowledge of tractor dynamics.

The Pasture, Soil and Water Management elective set contains knowledge of pasture plants and production; pasture supply and demand; water use; elements and fertiliser; fertiliser spreading; and soils. This elective also contains skills for livestock grazing management.

The Agricultural Resources, Machinery and Tools elective set covers the knowledge related to agricultural/horticultural property water systems. This elective also contains skills related to drainage system installation, service and repair of agricultural machinery, and chainsaw operation.

The Pest Control elective set covers the knowledge related to the interpretation of agrichemical product information, as well as the application and safe use of agrichemicals; weeds and their control; and the use of safety equipment.

The Fencing elective set contains the knowledge and skills related to the installation and dismantling of temporary and permanent fences, as well as knowledge and skills related to electric fences and gates, and fence repair.

The Dairy and Sheep Farming elective set contains knowledge related to milking machine operation and cleaning; the operation of farm dairy equipment; and wool production. This elective also contains skills related to milking dairy cows and identification of milking problems; identification of cows on heat; dairy cattle treatment, and farm dairy equipment cleaning; preparation of sheep for dog food; and handling, docking, treating, and droving sheep.

The Livestock Species elective set contains three sets from which candidates are required to select one.

The first is the Cattle set which contains knowledge related to rearing calves, and weaner and replacement cattle; calving, and associated diseases and health disorders; cattle reproduction; cattle handling; breeds and classes of cattle; and cattle genetics and selection. This set also contains the skills related to calving, and cattle handling. The second is the Deer set which contains the knowledge related to deer mating; deer reproduction; fawning; deer welfare and stockmanship; and deer genetics and mating. This set also contains the skills related to preventative health programmes; fawning and weaning; deer grazing and feeding; deer handling and treating; and deer record keeping.

The third is the Sheep Reproduction and Farm Dogs set which contains the knowledge related to types, breeds, uses, and health requirements of farm dogs; rearing lambs and hoggets; lambing; sheep genetics and ram selection; features of sheep; and sheep reproduction. This set also contains the skills related to working a farm dog; assisting with easy care lambing; handling ewes and lambs at lambing; and handling rams prior to tupping.

Finally, this qualification contains a General Farming Skills elective set which covers a range of general farming knowledge and skills, including farm water supply; motorcycles, tractors, ATVUs, and ATVs; soils and fertilisers; sheep farming; and welding from which candidates are required to select a balance of credits to meet the overall qualification requirements of 120 credits.

On completion of the qualification people may choose to further their skills and knowledge through other agriculture industry qualifications such as the National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Health and Husbandry) (Level 3) with strands in Cattle Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 1438], the National Certificate in Dairy Farming (Milking) (Level 3) [Ref: 1440], the National Certificate in Deer Farming (Level 3) [Ref: 1442], and the National Certificate in Sheep Farming (Sheep Breeding) (Level 3) [Ref: 1443], and then on to the National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with strands in Arable Farming, Cattle Farming, Dairy Farming, Deer Farming, and Sheep Farming [Ref: 0986].