Horticulture cadetship expands to Bay of Plenty after successful pilot
1 August 2025
Following the success of its pilot in Pukekohe, Primary ITO’s Horticulture Cadetship Programme is now available to growers in the Bay of Plenty.
Launched in late 2024, the cadetship was developed in response to growers' feedback that training staff can be time-consuming. A dedicated Primary ITO coordinator supports both employers and learners throughout the programme – from enrolment to completion – managing day-to-day training needs and providing weekly one-on-one support.
Each cadet enrols in a Primary ITO apprenticeship, specialising in fruit or vegetable growing (indoor or outdoor), or nursery production. They also benefit from peer support through shared study sessions and site visits, creating strong industry networks.
Primary ITO’s Sector Manager for Horticulture Production, Hamish Gordon, says feedback from the pilot has been overwhelmingly positive.
With strong results in Pukekohe, the next intake is now open for Bay of Plenty growers.
To register interest or learn more, contact Hamish Gordon at hamish.gordon@primaryito.ac.nz.