YOUR INDUSTRY
Fruition Diploma students participating in a taste test during a field trip to AS Wilcox Ltd
Level 6 diploma studies now available online People working in supervisory or management roles within the horticulture industry can now study for a Level 6 horticultural qualification without attending university. By Elaine Fisher The first students for the inaugural Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production, Level 6, began the two-year largely online course in January this year. However, students can join the course at any stage and the next intake closes on 21 April. The NZQA-approved course content has been compiled and delivered by Fruition Horticulture, based in Tauranga. Students’ fees are funded under Fees Free or the Targeted Training Apprenticeship Fund. Fruition Horticulture owners and directors Ruth Underwood and Sandy Scarrow say they are excited to be able to offer the course at this level, and already students are seeing the benefits of taking part. “We have one student who has gained a promotion since being involved in the programme,” says Sandy who is tutoring the course in which learners participate 40
The ORCHARDIST : MAY 2021
online, or in a classroom, and in a three-day field trip and workshop series where they are introduced to the range of horticultural production systems in New Zealand.
Because this course is available online, people can participate from anywhere in New Zealand Among the 12 students in the first intake are a vegetable grower from Hamilton, a number of people involved in the kiwifruit and avocado industry or support businesses in the Bay of Plenty, one kiwifruit manager from Takaka in the South Island, one from an avocado orchard in Northland and a citrus worker also from Northland.
