Trades Academy sets students up with skills for life
2 May 2025
More than 200 students at Palmerston North Boys’ High School have gained practical skills and entry-level qualifications through Primary ITO’s Trades Academy since 2019, setting them up for future success in the agriculture industry.
Tutor Justin shares his knowledge of break fencing with the students.
This year, forty-eight students are taking part in the programme for one or two days each week. Trades Academy tutors pick the students up from school and take them out to one of seventeen participating farms in the Manawatū, where they learn practical skills from the tutors and farmers including fencing, drenching and shearing. The students put their learning into practice, while working towards a New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills Level 2 or 3.
Shane Boderick, team leader at Primary ITO’s Trades Academy, says Palmerston North Boys’ High has by far the most students involved in the programme across New Zealand, with a waitlist of another 15 students eager to take part.
Students get involved in sheep drenching and drafting the stock.
Field trips give the students the chance to see the wide range of career pathways available, with visits to sale yards, wool stores, rural supply shops, and other potential career options. In previous years camps have enabled students to spend time learning and experiencing life on a variety of farms around the central North Island.
David Barwick, head of career and vocational pathways at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, says he notices a real difference in the boys who take part in Trades Academy.
“They learn self-management including how to organise themselves, and how to interact and communicate with other adults … key soft skills that employers are looking for."
Shane adds, “we encourage the kids to talk to the farmer, to shake hands and make an effort to engage.”
Students get to grips with using a shearing handpiece
It’s not only students with a farming background that are taking part in the programme, there are a large number that grew up in town.
Shane notes the strong demand from urban kids keen to get involved in Trades Academy, saying “there’s been an unbelievable swing to more urban kids taking part over the last few years, realising Mum and Dad don’t need to own a farm for them to do this.”
David estimates that ninety percent of their Trades Academy students stay in the industry after leaving school.
Some go down to Lincoln University to study science, while others have picked up cadetships at prestigious agricultural training schools including Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm, Pukemiro Station, and Otiwhiti Station. Others go straight into employment on farm and apprenticeships through Primary ITO.
Last year, two former students took out the Junior Young Farmer title as part of the highly regarded Young Farmer of the Year competition.
David says programmes like Trades Academy help to keep students at school for longer, which can lead to better future outcomes.
A bit of mud and rain can’t wipe the smile off Hugo’s face.
Year 13 student Hugo Early spends two days a week on farm through Trades Academy.
"I love that I can spend time outside of class doing something I am passionate about,” Hugo says. “I enjoy learning new skills, especially fencing. I've already learned a lot about it this year and look forward to learning more. My favourite activity is dagging and shearing, as well as working on my basic butchery skills.
“Learning these skills will help me in the future when looking for employment opportunities in shepherding or other types of farming that interest me."
Alex Jamieson, a Year 11 student in his first year of Trades Academy, says he has “thoroughly enjoyed” the early days of his course with Primary ITO.
“I am passionate about farming and hope to pursue it as a future career. By completing this course, I believe it will provide me with a solid foundation to enter the farming industry,” Alex says. “Our tutor has been an excellent mentor, guiding us through the process. I am motivated by earning credits through my hard work, which will contribute to my NCEA results".
Alex helps to build a break fence.
Recently, the students took part in a wellbeing workshop, learning valuable tips and information in a session run by Dan Gardner, from animal health products supplier Boehringer Ingelheim, in partnership with Farmstrong.
Primary ITO’s Trades Academy works with 108 schools across New Zealand. In 2025, 1160 students are gaining valuable practical skills, experience and entry-level qualifications in agriculture, horticulture, and other sectors.
Find information on Primary ITO’s schools programmes including Trades Academy and Gateway, on our website here.