The Agriculture Qualifications Development Project (QDP) aims to streamline the transition between training levels and enhance the transferability of skills for our agricultural workforce. We will further investigate the issues, challenges, and gaps in learning to create education components that better suit the needs of ākonga, kaimahi, and ahumahi (industry), which will allow for improved support from kaiwhakarato (providers).

The Agriculture QDP was launched in March 2024, with initial industry engagement through in-person and online wānanga and one-on-one hui. By July, three advisory groups were established to guide the project:

  • Steering Group: function for the progress and deliverables of the project. They ensure that the project delivers education products that will be of value to Māori, industry, employers, providers, and ākonga. 
  • Qualifications Advisory Group: Includes industry representatives offering insights into current pressures and practices, ensuring qualifications meet industry and learner needs.
  • Provider Advisory Group: Enables providers to discuss potential outcomes from their perspective.

Key Steps

  • Learner Pathways, skills map and   Level 3 qualification drafts – July - December 2024
  • Level 4 and 5 qualification draft –  January - May 2025
  • Technical Advisory Groups - April  - July 2025 provides specialist industry advice and feedback relevant to the design and development of skill standards
  • Skill Standards and Micro-credential development   – May - July 2025

Latest Progress 

The AG QDP team has conducted extensive engagement with advisory groups, focusing on:

  • Expanding the Food and Fibre Skills Framework to gather detailed industry insights.
  • Mapping learner pathways across career stages, identifying critical tasks, competencies, and barriers.
  • Prioritising key skills for each learning level.
  • Drafting a proposal of a Level 3 Qualification structure and GPOs.

Consolidated actions in this project

Shorter, stackable, training (Arable)

The industry wants shorter training that is better aligned to core skills components and is delivered in sync with the industry calendar. Muka Tangata is working on how qualifications can be more flexible and transferable. Micro-credentials are one approach to creating shorter, stackable training. We will work with industry to investigate if micro-credentials are an appropriate method for meeting industry needs.

Develop shorter, flexible and transferable qualifications, standards and micro-credentials that allow for more work-based training. (Arable; Dairy Farming; Poultry, Pigs and Other Livestock Farming; Sheep, Beef, Deer and Wool Farming)

Muka Tangata is teaming up with key industry and vocational education partners to thoroughly assess all agriculture qualifications, micro-credentials, and standards. This project aims to create adaptive, long-lasting learning pathways for ākonga (learners), employers, and the agriculture sector.

The Agriculture qualifications development project aims to streamline the transition between training levels, and enhance the transferability of skills for our agricultural workforce. We will further investigate the issues, challenges, and gaps in learning to create education components that better suit the needs of ākonga, kaimahi, and ahumahi (industry), which will allow for improved support from kaiwhakarato (providers).

Create a Primary Industry Transferrable Skills qualification (Dairy Farming)

As part of our work to create a framework, and suite of products, that maximises flexibility and transferability, we will investigate developing a Primary Industry Transferrable Skills qualification.

Investigate including more people management skills in qualifications (Dairy Farming)

The ability to work with and lead others is crucial. We will investigate including more people-management skills in qualifications, especially at earlier levels of training, to facilitate the development of future managers. 

We will also explore the value of including training on best practice and the legal requirements of looking after staff.

Work to make qualifications more flexible (Dairy Farming)   

The industry wants shorter, targeted, and flexible training. Ahead of a major review of the agriculture qualification suite next year, Muka Tangata will explore the role of micro-credentials in reshaping training for the dairy industry.  

For example, we will explore splitting the Level 5 Agribusiness Diploma into micro-credentials, to appeal to a wider audience. We will also develop shorter, targeted training, in the form of micro-credentials, to address targeted skills needed. We are engaging with industry to identify priority areas which could include dairy grazing, calf rearing, agri-tech, irrigation operation and troubleshooting, critical decision making and on-farm biosecurity.

Develop micro-credentials for targeted skills needs (Poultry, Pigs and other Livestock Farming)

The industry faces new regulatory requirements that may require new skills. Working with industry, we will investigate the topics of most need. For example, information on changing animal welfare practices could be incorporated into qualifications. 

In addition, we will investigate whether developing micro-credentials for animal welfare; biosecurity; husbandry; animal health; health and safety; and/or feed requirements would be beneficial to the industry. These skills which are highly relevant across many of our industries may be more transferable, enabling a more mobile workforce for the whole sector.