For one keen gardener free training in horticulture sounded too good to be true; he got paid, got to be outdoors doing what he loves among swathes of greenery.

Thirty-one year old Invercargill born Fergus initially started out labouring in horticulture building a cravo shed for a cherry orchard, and then continued doing more tree planting and pruning.  

“I’ve always found food production really interesting, and I have a few family members who did orchard [work]. 

“I liked working in parks and gardens ….so I looked online for things to do.

“I found the free apprenticeship and thought I’ve got nothing to lose so I’ll do it for a year.”

That led him to pursue the Otago Polytechnic’s Level 4 Certificate in Horticulture, specialising in fruit production (via the Cromwell Campus) and he received government funding to cover the fees. 

After completing his qualification Fergus has landed a role he loves as an orchard technician working at Forest Lodge Orchard near Cromwell. 

“It’s the first fossil free carbon zero orchard, so there is lots of exciting stuff happening,” Fergus said.

“They pioneer their own tech here… there is a modified golf cart as a sprayer and an electric tractor.

“It’s about minimising our impact on the environment and for me, it makes economic sense to do it this way.”

On the question of why he finds horticulture a rewarding career Fergus said it is strangely satisfying seeing the results.

“The trees are like my babies… then you also get independent working, a chance to listen to music while you’re outdoors and there is exercise too.”

Horticulture New Zealand said there are 60,000 people working in the sector and more than 100 types of fruit and vegetables are grown here. 

Their website said the value of the horticulture industry in New Zealand has increased by 64 per cent in the past ten years to $6.4 billion (2019).

Primary Industry Training Organisation (PITO) leads work based education and training in the horticulture sector and offers many different options for the 19,000 learners at 6000 workplaces around the country.

Central PITO training advisor Blair Wells said there were loads of career options in horticulture and a few ways to get assistance to do formal qualifications from his organisation and others.

“Primary ITO has some funding until the end of 2022, then there is also Boost funding for apprenticeships or mana mahi through Work and Income.”

Employers who take on trainees can also get financial assistance and $500 per month per trainee to contribute to cover the costs.

“Trainees go on training days, and so this is about covering the cost of that and valuing employers' time and assistance to help someone get qualified,” Blair said. 

Blair said there were shorter term options to set school leavers up for success, or try out roles in horticulture before committing to an apprenticeship. 

“A level two certificate can give you a taste of academics and you can complete it in seven months.”

Go Hort’s Southern horticulture career progression manager Chelsea Donnelly said often people fell into horticulture but that after one or two seasons they really enjoyed seeing the broader business side of food production. 

“You can do it in a different way, and we can help you…you don’t have to sit in a classroom …there are things like learning support available too.”

Chelsea said there are horticulture students learning in unconventional ways such as using apps and voice recordings, no longer requiring written formats like essays.

“My role is to support young growers and act as a connector for industry, schools and the community.

“[For many people] a career in horticulture is really all about communication and people skills.”

For more information about a career in horticulture and the targeted training and apprenticeship fund or other government funding options contact:

[email protected] or [email protected]