agrichemical applicators - InfraTrain New Zealand

National certificates for
Agrichemical Applicators
Developed in partnership with
the rural contracting industry

QUALIFICATIONS FOR
AGRICHEMICAL APPLICATORS
Agriculture is New Zealand’s largest export sector and a vital part
of our economy. Environmental sustainability and traceability in
the food chain are of increasing importance and we must be able
to assure overseas markets that our agricultural exports are safe.
These issues, together with the requirements of health, safety and
environmental legislation for the use of agrichemicals, mean there
is even greater need for qualified applicators.
InfraTrain New Zealand provides recognition of the required skills
and knowledge, with national qualifications that can be gained
on the job.
Our qualifications have been developed in partnership with the
agrichemical contracting industry and suit all levels of work in
the industry — from entry level to management. Each provides a
range of flexible options to meet individual needs. Our National
Certificate in Agrichemical Application is a prerequisite for the
GROWSAFE® Registered Chemical Applicators Certificate.
Qualifications are subsidised and there is no need for a student
loan because learning is done on the job. There is the added
advantage that qualifications can be gained anywhere in the
country and can be started at any time during the year.

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN
RURAL CONTRACTING
(INTRODUCTORY SKILLS)
1
40 CreditS
This is an introductory certificate and provides an excellent steppingstone
to the more specialist areas of agrichemical application.
The qualification comprises compulsory unit standards which cover:
• Workplace communications
• Measurements and calculations
• Safe operation of a light motor vehicle
• Health and Safety
• First Aid
Elective unit standards can be selected to provide additional
skills and knowledge suited to job requirements:
• Working with tractors, vehicles and small plant
• Pest control including the use of agrichemicals
• Additional Health and Safety awareness
This qualification provides a useful step towards gaining the
National Certificate in Agrichemical Application or the
National Certificate in Agricultural Contracting, although
it is not a prerequisite.
Unit Standards 21563 and 21564, in the elective section, equate
to GROWSAFE® Introductory Certificate training in the use of
agrichemicals. For more information see www.growsafe.co.nz.
Trainees with elective Unit Standards 21563 and 21564 may
be eligible for Approved Handler test certification, under the
Hazardous Substances and New Organism Act (HSNO) 1996.
For further information contact the Environmental Risk
Management Authority (ERMA), telephone 0800 ermanz,
or see www.ermanz.govt.nz.

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN
AGRICHEMICAL APPLICATION
3 4
OR
79—105 CreditS
This qualification is for people who work in specialist areas of
agrichemical application. It is a prerequisite for the GROWSAFE®
Registered Chemical Applicators Certificate.
The qualification includes compulsory unit standards:
• Knowledge of agrichemicals
• Safety and environmental aspects
• Local body accountability requirements
• Knowledge of the HSNO Act and NZS 8409:2004
• Manage agrichemicals in accordance with NZS 8409:2004
• Transportation of agrichemicals
• Preparation and application of agrichemicals
• Health and Safety
• First Aid
Elective unit standards cover a range of further agrichemical
application related skills and knowledge which can be selected to
suit job requirements.
In addition, there are five specialist strands and the trainee must
be able to demonstrate competence in one or more of these:
• Aquatic application
• Broadacre application
• Brush application
• Livestock external parasite control
• Total vegetation control
The qualification may follow on from the National Certificate in
Rural Contracting (Introductory Skills), although this is not a
prerequisite. People completing it may chose to progress to the
National Certificate in Rural Contracting (Management) with
the strand in Agrichemical Application.

Trainees with elective Unit Standards 21563 and 21564 may
be eligible for Approved Handler test certification, under the
Hazardous Substances and New Organism Act (HSNO) 1996.
For further information contact the Environmental Risk
Management Authority (ERMA), telephone 0800 ermanz,
or see www.ermanz.govt.nz.
REGISTERED CHEMICAL APPLICATOR
The National Certificate in Agrichemical Application, together
with a minimum of 200 hours practical agrichemical application
experience, is recognised by the New Zealand Agrichemical
Education Trust (NZAET) as a prerequisite for the GROWSAFE®
Registered Chemical Applicators Certificate.
The requirement for a GROWSAFE® Registered Chemical
Applicators certificate is written into the Air Plans of many of the
Regional Councils. Once included in an Air Plan it becomes a legal
requirement for commercial ground spray contractors under the
Resource Management Act.
Also, the New Zealand Transport Agency (incorporating Transit NZ)
specifies in their tender documents that an agrichemical sprayer
must be under the direct supervision of a GROWSAFE® Registered
Chemical Applicator.
For more information see www.growsafe.co.nz

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN
RURAL CONTRACTING
68 CreditS
(MANAGEMENT)
— WITH A STRAND IN AGRICHEMICAL APPLICATION
This qualification recognises the skills and knowledge required to
manage an agrichemical contracting business that employs staff.
It is an ideal qualification for people with management experience
in agrichemical contracting, providing recognition of their
competency with a national qualification. It may also suit people
entering contracting management from a different background.
The qualification comprises a compulsory section on general
contracting management skills and knowledge:
• Taxation, financial and insurance responsibilities
• Managing financial resources
• Tenders and contracts
• Acquisition of plant
• Employment agreements
• Risk management
• Managing Health and Safety
The elective section covers one of the following:
• Implementing taxation requirements
• Applying the law of contract
• Contracting of service
• Securing tenders; negotiating and monitoring contracts
5
A specialist strand covering Agrichemical Application is selected to
complete the qualification:
• Plan, price and manage the implementation of an agrichemical
control programme
The qualification may follow on from the National Certificate in
Agrichemical Application, although this is not a prerequisite.

INDUSTRY
RECOGNISED
InfraTrain has developed these Agrichemical qualifications in
conjunction with the industry to meet the requirement for
qualifications which are up to date and relevant to business needs.
Industry technical experts have provided advice on the unit
standards and the structure of the qualifications, which are
endorsed by Rural Contractors New Zealand.
Rural Contractors New Zealand is the national organisation
representing a number of contractors throughout the country.
“I am pleased to have worked with InfraTrain in developing these
new qualifications and to have been able to provide industry
knowledge to ensure they represent best practice. World markets
are becoming more demanding and I would encourage the
industry to show it is professional and to ensure New Zealand
continues to be a leading agricultural producer. I would encourage
you to take up training and be ahead of the rest with national
certificates that are NZQA accredited.”
Noel Blackwell
Life Member of Rural Contractors New Zealand
“The application of any chemical can pose a serious threat if not
applied correctly. Overseas markets now require proof of all
chemicals used in the production of New Zealand’s exports. This
qualification, coupled with the GROWSAFE® Certificate, provides
every individual with the training and recognised qualification to
meet these requirements.”
Roger Parton
Executive Director, Rural Contractors New Zealand

BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYERS
• Nationally recognised qualifications
• Qualifications developed in partnership with industry
• Work-based training — no classrooms
• Recognition of existing experience with national qualifications
• Subsidised training
• Support and guidance available from InfraTrain
• Covers Health and Safety requirements
• Reduces risk and may reduce liability in event of an accident
• May be required to obtain appropriate insurance cover
• Reduced supervision required
• Increased productivity — less rework
• Reduced plant operation and maintenance costs
• Improved tender attributes
• Improved staff retention and company growth

QUALIFICATION PATHWAY
Each of InfraTrain’s Agrichemical qualifications is designed to be
stand-alone — there is no need to do a prerequisite qualification.
However, the qualifications are structured to provide a pathway
for people wanting to develop a career in the industry.
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 3 or 4 LEVEL 5
National Certificate in
Rural Contracting
(Management)
With a strand in Agrichemical Application
National Certificate in
Agrichemical Application
National Certificate
in Rural Contracting
(Introductory Skills)

ENROLMENT INFORMATION
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry is open with no prerequisites.
HOW are the QUALIFICATIONs COMPLETED?
The Agrichemical qualifications are completed through the
recognition of relevant work skills and knowledge. Evidence of this
is collected in a workbook for verification and assessment against
unit standards by an approved assessor.
The workbooks are provided by InfraTrain and explain what needs
to be achieved to complete the qualification.
The following people play a key role in achieving a qualification
on the job.
MENTORS
We recommend that a mentor is assigned to the trainee. The
mentor’s role is to provide support and guidance. They may be a
colleague, advisor or manager.
VERIFIERS
A verifier is a person with industry experience who is appointed by
the employer. The verifier’s role is to observe and confirm work has
been completed to the required standard and the trainee is ready
to be assessed.
ASSESSORs
The assessor is registered by InfraTrain and is assigned to the
trainee after enrolment. The assessor’s role is to assess work,
which has been completed and verified, against the unit standards.
HOW TO ENROL
To enrol in any of the qualifications, complete a Training Plan and
Agreement and send it to InfraTrain.
Download this from www.infratrain.co.nz or call 0800 486 626 to
arrange for InfraTrain’s local advisor to provide one.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Indicative completion times for the qualifications are:
National Certificate in Rural Contracting (Introductory Skills)
Level 1, 40 Credits — 12 months.
National Certificate in Agrichemical Application
Level 3 or 4, 79 - 105 Credits — 24 months.
National Certificate in Rural Contracting (Management)
with strand in Agrichemical Application
Level 5, 68 Credits — 18 months.
COST
Enrolment Fee — $60 plus GST.
This is payable the first time a trainee is enrolled with InfraTrain.
It is a one-off fee and covers enrolment in all future training with
InfraTrain New Zealand Limited.
Subscription Fee
National Certificate in Rural Contracting (Introductory Skills)
National Certificate in Rural Contracting (Management)
Monthly $50 plus GST or Annual $600 plus GST. If paid monthly,
the Subscription Fee is payable for a minimum of 12 months.
National Certificate in Agrichemical Application
Monthly $35 plus GST or Annual $420 plus GST. If paid monthly,
the Subscription Fee is payable for a minimum of 18 months.
These fees do not include the cost of assessment which is
determined with the assessor.

Talk to us
If you would like more information on the Agrichemical qualifications or would
like to enrol in the qualification, please contact us.
0800 486 626
or email askus@infratrain.co.nz
InfraTrain New Zealand
Level 12, 40 Mercer Street, PO Box 2759, Wellington 6140
www.infratrain.co.nz
CPR29102UMC 12/2008