The Primary Industries are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy – and they’re always looking for workers with the right skills. At UCOL, you have the opportunity to learn from beginner practical skills up to the management of agriculture through our short agriculture courses and agribusiness management programmes.
Our range of Primary Industries programmes includes certificates and diplomas in agriculture and primary industries, certificates in conservation, a certificate in apiculture, and short agriculture courses. These programmes are taught by industry professionals and are delivered through hands-on learning at the Taratahi Agriculture Training Centre at Wairarapa.
Want to learn a bit more about what’s on offer and kick-starting your career in New Zealand’s most essential sector? The programme information below will give you a good idea on what’s being offered across our region.

Farming

Farming
Diplomas
Level 5
Duration: 40 weeks, full-time
2 years, part-time
Start:
Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Certificates
Duration: 8 weeks
Start:
TBC
Location: via QCONZ
Level 3
Duration: 1 year full-time (44 weeks)
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterston
Level 3
Duration: 26 weeks full-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Wairarapa Campus in Masterton
Level 4
Duration: 1 year full-time (42 weeks)
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North
Duration: 12 weeks full-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
July
Location: UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton
with optional strands in Specialist Equipment, and Infrastructure.
In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
Level 2
Duration: 1 day per week
Start:
February
Location: UCOL Whanganui, UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

Basic Beekeeping

Basic Beekeeping
Certificates
Level 3
Duration: 18 weeks full-time
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
August
Location: UCOL Wairarapa in Masterton

Conservation

Conservation
Certificates
Level 4
Duration: 1 year full-time (41 weeks)
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: Wairarapa (Pūkaha Mt Bruce / Wairarapa UCOL Campus)
Level 3
Duration: 33 weeks part-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: Pūkaha Mt Bruce
In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
Level 3
Duration: Pūkaha (Mt Bruce) Fridays
Start:
February
Location: Wairarapa UCOL Campus
Pūkaha (Mt Bruce)

Free short courses

Free short courses
Other Programmes
Duration: 2-6 weeks
Start:
All year
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)
Taster Camp various topics below
Duration: 3 Days
Start:
TBC
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)
Duration: 1 week
Monday to Friday
Start:
TBC
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)
Duration: 1 week
Start:
TBC
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)
Duration: 5 days
Monday to Friday
Start:
TBC
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)
Duration: Three days
Start:
TBC
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)
Duration: One day
Start:
TBC
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)
Duration: 5 days
Monday to Friday
Start:
TBC
Location: Wairarapa (Taratahi Site)