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Star Chainsaw 3
STAR course equips students with chainsaw skills

16 September 2026

Senior ag students at Dannevirke High School learned the basics of safe chainsaw operation in a short course delivered by Primary ITO Trades Academy recently.

the Gundry boys fencing
Growing the next generation of farmers with Primary ITO Trades Academy

10 September 2026

Dannevirke High School students are gaining hands-on farming skills and valuable real-world experience through Primary ITO Trades Academy, leading to employment and cadetship opportunities.

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Primary ITO takes next step towards industry-owned future

8 July 2026

An Interim Establishment Board has been appointed to guide the organisation as it establishes an industry-owned Private Training Establishment (PTE).

Horowhenua Article
Hands-on learning shaping farming futures - Helping tackle New Zealand’s looming rural skills shortage.

5 June 2026

New Zealand’s future farmers, fencers, contractors and rural workers are already learning the ropes not from behind desks, but out in paddocks, yards and woolsheds across Horowhenua and Kāpiti. Photo & Article Credit: Frankie Webb, Horowhenua Chronicle

Trades Academy   Group Photo   Smedley Station
Trades Academy camp showcases career pathways

18 May 2026

Twenty-six students spent a week of their school holidays soaking up farm life and learning about career pathways during the annual Primary ITO Trades Academy camp.

Sheep, Beef
Shaping the future of work-based learning

19 February 2026

Industry employers have an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of work-based learning in the food and fibre industry over the next few months.

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Gateway students kick-start their farming careers in Northland

26 November 2025

In a small rural community in North Hokianga, school students are learning practical skills and gaining valuable farming experience through the Primary ITO Gateway programme.

Jesse & Dylan   Treescapes
Growing the next generation of arborists

13 October 2025

Treescape Hamilton is helping to train the next generation of arborists by supporting a high school student to gain valuable work experience and practical knowledge to kick start his career in the industry.

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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.

Mia riding in a practice round in China
Trades Academy student rides to a podium finish in China

19 February 2025

A love of horses runs in the family for Primary ITO Trades Academy student Mia Matheson, who jumped at the opportunity to compete in an international horse-riding competition in China last September.