Highlights

Three new irrigation micro-credentials for the irrigation industry

Through our engagement with Irrigation NZ, we identified the need for credentials that recognise people with skills in commissioning and verification of full water pipe measurement systems, and the installation and commissioning of water measurement telemetry systems. The development of these micro-credentials will support the growth of these numbers as the need for accredited workers increases.

The Level 5 micro-credentials will make up part of the accreditation for Irrigation NZ’s Blue Tick.

Blue Tick is a water measurement accreditation programme, set up by Irrigation NZ around 2013, to give accreditation to companies that work in the water measurement space. The programme is used by most regional councils to help them ensure consent holders have access to quality providers to undertake water metering requirements under the Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of Water Takes) Regulations (2010).

Milestones:

December 2023: Three proposed micro-credentials were submitted to NZQA.

January 2024: Two reviewed unit standards and one new unit standard have been evaluated, approved and published by NZQA.

  • US 27445 – Select, install, and commission a full pipe water measurement device (Level 5, 5 credits)
  • US 27556 – Carry out a full pipe water measurement device verification (Level 5, 5 credits)
  • US 33324 – Carry out a water measurement telemetry system installation and commission (Level 5, 5 credits) (new)

Three proposed micro-credentials on these topics were submitted to NZQA in December 2023. Now that the unit standards have been approved, evaluation can begin for the micro-credentials.

27 February 2024: New irrigation micro-credentials approved by NZQA and published on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.

  • Full Pipe Water Measurement Device Verification – C58899
  • Water measurement telemetry system installation and commission – C58900
  • Full pipe water measurement and device installation and commission – C58901

These micro-credentials are available to view here.