Training and Education

Growth in the horticulture sector will not be constrained by capital investment, or by available land; it will be constrained by lack of knowledgeable and job-ready human capability.

Start Afresh offers applied education and training opportunities either in partnership with training institutions, or privately on a fee-payable basis.

Since its establishment in 2015, Start Afresh has conducted several half-day and 1-2 day training courses, with support from a range of education institutions (particularly Massey University).

The courses span an array of topics on fruit physiology, ripening characteristics, refrigeration systems and dynamics etc.

The courses have gained immense popularity across the horticultural sector industry, with specific modules focussed on kiwifruit, apples and berryfruit.

The modules have also become a part of Level 5 qualifications with the Eastern Institute of Technology and Toi Ohomai where students can gain credits while attending these courses.

Start Afresh also work with Fruition Horticulture (BOP) Ltd to deliver a paper ‘Where Production meets Post-harvest’ in the Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production. The paper covers much of the material covered in other short courses offered but extends the learner to consider the entire production system and the post harvest consequences of all actions from paddock to plate. The paper, ‘Where Production Meets Post-harvest’ can be taken as one of six papers in the Fruition Diploma or as a micro-credential. The micro-credential means that, on successful completion of assessment work related to your workplace, you are awarded 20 credits at Level 6 on the NZ Qualifications Framework.

As of February 2024, over 1500 participants have been a part of these training modules.