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Pāmu and Primary ITO collaborate to upskill future farmers

5 October 2026

Growing the pipeline of farmers into the agriculture industry and providing opportunities for employment and career development is at the heart of the Pāmu Apprenticeship Scheme, proudly supported by Primary ITO.

Pāmu Class of 2026

Launched in January 2025, the scheme started with nine apprentices and grew to 10 in its second year. These young people are gaining employment, farming and life skills, and achieving formal industry-recognised Primary ITO qualifications alongside their peers in a supportive environment.

From the beginning, Primary ITO worked alongside Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Limited) to tailor the training programme to meet skill and capability needs. The apprentices are also completing vehicle micro-credentials alongside the apprenticeship, adding valuable on-farm health and safety skills.

The successful pilot year saw 100% of the first cohort complete their foundation training and move into full-time employment on Pāmu farms around New Zealand.  Since then, one apprentice has returned to a family farming operation, while another has chosen a different career path.

Support is essential

Pāmu Apprenticeship Scheme Manager Gary Brady says wraparound support for new apprentices is essential.

“They are learning how to balance life, study and work,” Gary says. “Pastoral support is the part we must get right if we want to keep young people in the industry. We are doing a lot of work in this area, and we have good teams supporting the apprentices on farm.”

Year one equips the apprentices with foundation skills, knowledge, and practical experience of dairy and livestock (sheep and beef) farming, with the apprentices initially working and living together at Aratiatia Farm of Pāmu near Taupō, before placement on other Pāmu farms nearby. 

Apprentices are enrolled into the NZ Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3) through Primary ITO, with the guidance of a Training Adviser. One-on-one support and transition to work skills are a priority in the first year, including budgeting, cooking, and sharing household responsibilities.

Year two apprentices specialise in dairy or livestock farming and are placed in full-time employment on Pāmu farms across New Zealand. There, they progress through their level 3 qualification and start on level 4, all while receiving ongoing support from Pāmu and Primary ITO.  After two years, they continue working on farm and progress through their study independently, with the support of their local Training Adviser, while staying connected to the Pāmu apprentice network.

Class of 2025

Gary believes the support and communication from Primary ITO plays an important role.

“We value the support we get from Primary ITO. During the first year the apprentices are under the wing of the Training Advisers, who keep me informed on learning progress. We have a lot of communication back and forth.”

He notes that Primary ITO apprenticeship training is regularly updated in line with industry changes, helping to keep training relevant.

First-year apprentices attend regular class days run by Primary ITO to learn the theory or ‘why’ behind how things are done on farm, before going away to work on their assessments independently.

Primary ITO Training Adviser Elri Levin supports the first-year apprentices, visiting on farm to monitor progress and answer questions.

“The apprentices are really engaged in their training and off-job classes,” Elri says. “They are taking the opportunity to learn as much as they can and it’s a pleasure to see their progress.”

Gaining skills and confidence

Gary says the growth in confidence and ability is incredible.  

“The apprentices gain confidence and resilience from having to get on with the job and manage the responsibilities that come with living and working independently. The change in some of them is remarkable when you look back at photos from when they first started,” he laughs.

“The growth our farm managers are seeing in the apprentices is very positive. The farm managers are very hands-on and keen to provide opportunities for the apprentices to learn and gain experiences wherever they can.”

Grace Dolton Pāmu Apprentice

For Grace Dolton, becoming a Pāmu apprentice offered a structured pathway to gain Primary ITO qualifications in a career she is passionate about, alongside the opportunities and variety that come with working for New Zealand’s largest farmer. 

"Through Pāmu and my Primary ITO training, I am gaining practical farming experience while working towards qualifications that will support my future career,” Grace says.

Pāmu apprentice Aidan King took part in the Primary ITO Trades Academy programme at Feilding High School. Born and raised on a sheep and beef farm, he loves being outdoors and is relishing this new opportunity to learn and gain practical experience.

"I want to learn the skills and knowledge through the opportunities I get at Pāmu and my Primary ITO training and use them to progress into roles such as farm manager or head shepherd," says Aidan.

Aiden King - Pāmu Apprentice

There has been strong interest again for the 2027 intake starting in January, with close to 100 keen young applicants. Offers are being sent to successful candidates in September.

“The interest from young people out there is real,” Gary says. “From my days working at Primary ITO Trades Academy, the interest has always been there. I love what the Trades Academy do – they’re giving high school kids a taste of real life on farm.”

Gary loves seeing the growth in the young apprentices.

“It’s what brings me back each day.”

Find information about the Pāmu Apprenticeship Scheme here.

Find information about Primary ITO qualifications in dairy farming here, and sheep, beef and deer farming here.

Photography provided by Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Limited)

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