Seafood industry

Since April 2023, we have been working with industry to review the suite of Seafood qualifications to ensure that they meet industry needs. We are taking a new approach based on partnering with industry, iwi Māori and vocational education providers to review and develop qualifications, standards and micro-credentials, in parallel with the programmes to deliver them.

Having a fit for purpose, flexible, and future-proof suite of qualifications for the Seafood industry will ensure ākonga (learners) are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to succeed.

View the General Qualification Process and FAQs: Seafood qualification review information sheet.

Review scope:

This will be a review of the Seafood Processing, Commercial Fishing, and Aquaculture qualifications.

View initial review summary: Executive Summary

Key steps:

April 2023 – Expressions of Interest sent for industry, iwi Māori and vocational education provider representation.

May – June – Working and Steering groups are set up and meet online.

July – Seafood Qualification Review in-person hui held in Nelson.

August – September – New qualification suite structures socialised with Working and Steering group members.

October – Consultation document and draft qualifications structures are developed and published.

December – Qualifications submitted to NZQA.

February 2024 – Level 2 micro-credentials submitted to NZQA.

April – September 2024 – Level 5 Environmental Sustainability – Skill standards and micro-credential development; Level 3 and Level 4 Core Subjects – Skill standards and micro-credential development.

October – ongoing – Development of Factory Maintenance Management Level 5 micro-credential.

December – Meeting in Nelson to sign-off Level 3 and Level 4 core subjects – skill standards and Level 5 micro-credentials (see July 2025 update section for further details).

June 2025 – New proposal presented to steering group (proposal approved including a new te ao Māori strand); formation of seaweed working group.

July – Formation of te ao Māori working group.

August – Submit revised qualification to NZQA.

August – September – Development of products for te ao Māori strand; development of products for seaweed.

October – Submission of products to NZQA.

July 2025 update:

• Level 3 and Level 4 compulsory core GPOs – Draft Level 3 and 4 core GPO products were presented for sign-off last year. The Steering Group recommended making the core elements optional rather than compulsory. Already developed products can still be used to meet qualification requirements.
• Level 3 and Level 4 qualification: Proposed a new structure for the Level 3 and 4 qualifications, making most GPOs optional and retaining only one compulsory GPO per level. Plan to develop a te ao Māori strand for each level and will engage with Māori in the industry to shape its content.
• Biosecurity: Consultation with the aquaculture industry showed a Level 5 micro-credential on developing a biosecurity plan isn’t needed, such work is usually contracted out. Exploring a Level 3 or 4 product around implementing and monitoring biosecurity plans.
• Factory Maintenance Management: A draft micro-credential is complete and will be shared with seafood industry specialists for feedback.
• Products for Seaweed: Engagement with the seaweed industry to identify supportive products, exploring potential introductory micro-credentials for the sector.

Milestones:

• NEW NZ Certificate in Seafood Operations (Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing, General, Quality Control and Compliance, Seafood Processing) (Level 3) – to be revised
• NEW NZ Certificate in Advanced Seafood Operations (Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing, General, Resource Management and Quality Control, and Seafood Processing) (Level 4) – to be revised
• Existing NZ Certificate in Seafood with strands in Aquaculture, Seafood Processing, and Commercial Fishing (Level 5) review date to be extended.
• NEW Introduction to Aquaculture micro-credential (Level 2, 20 credits) NZQA
• NEW Introduction to Commercial Fishing micro-credential (Level 2, 25 credits) NZQA
• NEW Introduction to Seafood Processing micro-credential (Level 2, 30 credits) NZQA
• Existing 280+ Seafood-related unit standards have had their review date extended to ensure that they continue to be available for assessment. This ensures that provision against the current qualifications can continue while we work on getting the new qualifications and related products online.
• Existing NZ Certificate in Seafood Processing (Level 3) with strands in Fish and Fish Products, Live Holding, Cleaning and Sanitation, and Seafood Logistics
• Existing NZ Certificate in Seafood Processing (Level 4)
• Existing NZ Certificate in Commercial Fishing (Level 4)
• Existing NZ Certificate in Commercial Fishing (Level 3) with strands in Shellfish, Wet Fish, and Frozen Fish
• Existing NZ Certificate in Aquaculture (Level 4) with strands in Hatchery, Fish, Shellfish and Aquaculture Diving
• Existing NZ Certificate in Aquaculture (Level 3) with strands in Hatchery, Fish, and Shellfish

Please reach out if you are interested in knowing more about the Seafood qualification review and how you can contribute – it’s not too late to get on board: [email protected]