Horticulture cadetship pilot launches in Pukekohe
19 May 2025
Primary ITO has launched a horticulture cadetship pilot in Pukekohe that will provide extra support to learners and free up employers to spend more time on their businesses.
The learner cohort pictured with Training Adviser Martina Balasova and Delivery Manager Kellie Rose (front middle), and Sector Manager Hamish Gordon (second from right).
The cohort of nine learners and employer representatives met at the cadetship launch day on 1 May, getting to know each other over morning tea, and receiving an introduction to their first learning module on health and safety. The learners – of varying ages, backgrounds and nationalities – have enrolled into a Primary ITO horticulture apprenticeship, specialising in nursery production or vegetable growing (indoor or outdoor), depending on the business they are employed in.
The main difference between the traditional Primary ITO apprenticeship and the cadetship is that learners will get more support from a dedicated Training Adviser (Martina Balasova), who will work on site to verify the assessments of a learner – a task normally undertaken by employers, saving them substantial time.
The learner cohort will be taken on field trips to businesses participating in the cadetship, enabling them to see firsthand some of the differences and complexities across the different sectors, giving learners a broader learning experience. This is in addition to traditional training days in the classroom and regular study evenings that Martina will run throughout the pilot.
The launch is the culmination of three years of work with industry by Primary ITO sector manager Hamish Gordon.
Hamish says the cadetship was developed to help address industry concerns around the time and effort required to train staff.
“We’ve listened and designed the cadetship with the Training Adviser playing an integral role in managing the assessment sign-off requirements for employers, enabling them to focus more on their business.
A second cohort is in the pipeline in Pukekohe for later this year, based on strong interest from local employers. The pilot is expected to run for 12 months, before the programme is rolled out to growers in other regions.
For more information, contact Hamish Gordon at [email protected]