Grow your career
Become an apprentice
As an apprentice you'll receive personal mentoring and extra support from your Primary ITO training adviser. They will meet with you at least four times a year to help you set goals and review your progress.
Depending on the industry, an apprenticeship can take anywhere between 2 to 3.5 years to complete. Ending up at the finish line takes passion, dedication and the ability to set and follow through with clearly defined goals.
On top of that, you’ll also attend workshops and social events with others on the same path as you, working towards highly regarded NZQA recognised qualifications.
You’ll be supported all the way in a career that encourages you to go as far as you want. Take a look at our Horticulture apprenticeship (www.letsgrow.co.nz) or Federated Farming dairy apprenticeship (www.farmapprentice.co.nz) pages, otherwise get in touch to find out more.
Considering an apprenticeship? Here's a few tips...
Make sure it's right for you
Make sure you are right for the apprenticeship. This will go a long way to maintaining the commitment you need to finish.
Get your boss on board
A supportive employer is critical. As well as understanding what your employer’s objectives and priorities are, and what role you will play in those.
Focus on your goals
Map out your career path and set goals (study, work and personal).
Seek support
Get buy-in and support from your friends, family, or whanau. You will need them.
Organise your time
Pick suitable study times. After work is not advisable because you will be tired. Also, make sure you're organised and keep up with your studies and paperwork.
Communicate
Communicate constantly with your employer. Tell him or her what you are doing in class and discuss how they can help you practically implement what you have learned.
Apprenticeship news
Dairy apprenticeships
Federated Farmers and Primary ITO have teamed up on an exciting new apprenticeship to rapidly grow people capability in the dairy industry.
You can register your interest online now at farmapprentice.co.nz
Federated Farmers Apprenticeship launches
Earn, learn and succeed
Each year one new apprentice is hired by Wellington City Council’s arboriculture team and up to 60 people apply for the job.
“Many of them don’t understand what arboriculture even is, but they really want an apprenticeship,” says council Arboriculture Manager William Melville. “The demographic is changing too. It’s not just school leavers anymore. People who’ve been in the workforce for a while and who want a career change are now applying.”
Apprenticeships & On-The-Job Training Now A Popular Choice
What's involved?
While the idea of 'serving an apprenticeship' may seem vague because every experience and workplace are different – which can cause uncertainty about what to expect – the reality is that an apprenticeship is one of the most straightforward qualifications you can achieve.
With schools, universities and other similar tertiary institutions it's often easy to anticipate how things will work – there's classes, and assignments and exams. But an apprenticeship – on the job training – is not a model familiar to most school leavers, at least.
What does a primary apprenticeship involve?