In early 2024 Muka Tangata will begin two simultaneous qualification development projects for all food and fibre Entry Level and Agriculture qualifications, standards and micro-credentials.  

These qualification development projects will ensure people in the food and fibre sector have the skills they need to drive the production and productivity our sector and the country require. 

Our industry and vocational education partners have made it clear that current qualifications are overly complicated, often too long, and are not sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of industry, ākonga (learners), or employers. By working with industries across the food and fibre sector, we will build flexible, sustainable, and enduring pathways for ākonga and employers. 

“Industry have made it clear that they want accessible pathways that support increased availability of skills-based training. We know that any development also has to be fit for purpose for those delivering training,” says Chief Executive Jeremy Baker. “We will design meaningful and practical learning packages that will give people a taste of working in the primary industry sector, enable them to transition into the workforce, and continue to train and develop once there.” 

Muka Tangata will work with key partners including industry, iwi Māori, schools, Kura Māori, trades academies, and employers to look at pathways from senior secondary school into our entry-level qualifications, and the suitability or otherwise of standards available in schools for that purpose.  

The Entry Level and Agriculture qualifications development projects will be supported by our New Approach to Learner Pathways project which is designing a multi-level Food and Fibre Skills Framework to bridge the formal / non-formal learning divide. The Entry Level qualifications development project will enable us to build the initial stages of this Framework. Alongside the Entry Level project, the Agriculture project will ensure ease of transition between different levels of training and qualifications, and improve transferability of skills for our agricultural workforce. 

Industry organisations and representatives will play a key role throughout the process to develop a new fit for purpose suite of qualifications, micro-credentials and standards. Engagement to support these projects will commence in February 2024 to ensure as many industry partners as possible will have a voice.  

If you’d like to be involved, email [email protected] or contact your Engagement Manager.