Online study

Study online from anywhere in New Zealand, with flexible learning that fits around your work or other commitments. You’ll complete most of your learning online throughout the year, and instead of a block course, you’ll take part in a two-week industry work placement where you’ll gain real hands-on experience in aquaculture operations and a direct pathway into aquaculture employment.

Expect to spend around 12 hours a week on your studies.

Workplace delivery

We also offer flexible workplace-based training for aquaculture businesses that want to upskill their teams. These options are designed to minimise disruption to daily operations while supporting staff to build essential aquaculture knowledge and capabilities.

See the Aquaculture Hub for more information.

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• Apply ethical, environmentally responsible practices to support the care and production of fish and shellfish.

• Work safely and effectively in aquaculture environments, including basic farm maintenance and outdoor operational tasks.

• Understand key hatchery and production processes used across the New Zealand aquaculture industry.

• Apply biosecurity principles relevant to aquaculture workplaces.

• Use essential boating and maritime skills, including sea survival, knot tying, and basic navigation.

• Participate productively in aquaculture operations during a two-week industry work placement.

This course aims to give you a pathway into the aquaculture industry. This may mean working on an oyster, salmon, or mussel farm. Or may involve work as a technician in a scientific research organisation.

If the boating part of the course is for you, it may open doors to more boating qualifications and maritime work.

If you have enjoyed the study, especially the science side, you may want to continue into the Bachelor of Aquaculture and Marine Conservation.(external link) 

Opportunity Grows Here(external link) is a great website if you want to know more about the Aquaculture industry. Check it out today, you might be surprised at what types of jobs this qualification opens you up to!

Academic requirements

New Zealand Certificate in Aquaculture (Level 3) with strands in Hatchery, Fish or Shellfish. 

Alternative requirements

Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic Entry Requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, maybe approved for alternative entry. This may include Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact NMIT for advice.

English language requirements

If English is not the applicant’s first language they will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.(external link)

Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident may contact NMIT for an assessment.

• IELTS 5.0 Academic (no lower than 5.0 in any subtest)

Note: Applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.

Information for Applicants

• The programme has aspects that require a certain level of agility, physical strength and fitness. Applicants must be physically capable of completing all aspects of the programme and may be asked to provide evidence.
• The programme involves working in and around water – it is highly recommended that learners are able to swim.
• NMIT and industry require drug and alcohol-free training and work environment.  Learners will be required to adhere to the workplace policies of any organization that they work for on their placements.
• Learners will be required to sign a declaration on entry to the programme stating any medical issues that NMIT needs to be aware of.  This adheres to the Health and Safety in at Work Act 2015.

Selection

All enrolments on the programmes are at the discretion of the Curriculum Manager or delegate. Applicants need to be physically fit to complete aquaculture work, be able to swim and be able to pass drug and alcohol screening prior to Semester 2 work placement.

All applicants who fulfil the entry requirements will be accepted onto the programme until maximum learner numbers are reached.

Applicants may be required to complete an interview/hui which provides an opportunity for applicants to discuss their previous experience.