IrrigationNZ Training

A good day to be a duck. It was wet and stormy weather for the Performance Assessment course as the students got stuck in with the practical work.

IrrigationNZ training in Northland

Mapua Avocado Orchard Manager John Barlow with Stephen McNally

Training and the upskilling of our industry has continued to be a large focus for IrrigationNZ. Our third Certificate in Irrigation System Performance Assessment course for 2022 was held in Northland in the first week of July. Twelve students braved some rather wet weather to join tutor Stephen McNally in the field and in the classroom for the three-day horticulture focused block course.

Stephen said, “Over the last year we have seen over 30 students attend the Irrigation Design qualification and more than 60 working on the Performance Assessment course. It’s so gratifying to get positive feed back from those attending – that the training will make a real difference in their work in the industry. Our Commercial Manager, Julie Melhopt, has done a massive job

Irrigation is crucial to growing the perfect avocado in Northland.

coordinating the enrolments, supporting the tutors, managing the venues across the country, and keeping students on track for their assignments.”

Through the government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund, IrrigationNZ has put over 60 students through the Certificate in Irrigation System Performance Assessment ‘fees-free’, running five courses around the country in the last 12 months.

As this magazine goes to print our Bay of Plenty course run by Vicky Bloomer will be getting underway.

If you are interested in learning something new and/or completing irrigation qualifications please check out the Upcoming Events page on our website. Please contact us via admin@irrigationnz.co.nz if there is a particular course you would like more information about.

Burnage Orchard’s water storage pond, with avocado trees in the background.