EDUCATION

It is estimated the industry will need another 2,000 permanent employees and 4,000 seasonal employees within the next few years. This future growth is dependent on the ability to attract and retain young people who are highly skilled and enthusiastic and develop them to become our industry’s future leaders.

Horticulture is a rapidly expanding industry with ambitious targets for growth. However, a persistent challenge facing the industry is finding an skilled workforce to support this growth.

To address this workforce shortage, the NZKGI Education Portfolio focuses on promoting careers and education within the horticulture industry. Our efforts involve reaching out to school students to raise awareness about the career opportunities available in horticulture and the different pathways to enter the industry. We collaborate with industry professionals to identify the educational and training needs required for upskilling and career advancement. Furthermore, we aim to attract individuals who are considering a career change to join the thriving horticulture industry in New Zealand.

Horticulture Training

Across New Zealand, there are a range of flexible study options to develop your career or upskill your employees in the horticulture field. Programmes are available part-time or full-time.

The Horticulture Qualification resource is available here.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Primary Industry Training Organisation (ITO) primaryito.ac.nz 0800 208 020
Polytechnics
Eastern Institute of Technology (Hawkes Bay, Gisborne) eit.ac.nz 0800 225 5348 
North Tec northtec.ac.nz 0800 808 856 
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology www.toiohomai.ac.nz 0800 864 646
Nelson & Marlborough Institute of Technology nmit.ac.nz 0800 422 733
Manukau Institute of Technology   manukau.ac.nz 0800 62 62 52 
Open Polytechnic openpolytechnic.ac.nz 0508 650 200
Unitec unitec.ac.nz 0800 109 510
Private Training Organisations
Fruition Horticulture fruition.net.nz (07) 928 5350 
Pacific Coast Technical Institute pcti.co.nz (07) 575 2185
Valley Education & Training Enterprises Ltd valleyeducation.co.nz (07) 868 7892
Training.co.nz Training.co.nz NA
University Diplomas and Degrees
Massey University massey.ac.nz 0800 627739 
Lincoln University lincoln.ac.nz 0800 106 010
Waikato University waikato.ac.nz  0800 924 5286 
Education
Education and Training
There has never been a better time for employers to invest in upskilling their workforc...
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