Kia ora koutou,
The Industry Awards Night was a fantastic celebration of students achievements, and we were proud to see EIT students at all levels gain scholarships, and graduate, as well as see their managers be acknowledged on stage. Our thanks to the HBFA management team for organising such a professional, enjoyable night for our students.
Our Taradale campus is slowly getting repaired with several buildings, including R block, back in commission. It will be a while before the library and study areas are available for students, which is unfortunate.
All three years of the Hort trainee program have started, with the first years completing tractors, second years starting weeds and weather and third years, studying Level 4 horticulture, starting with compliance. We have good numbers for all courses, but will open up years one and two after harvest for a late intake, as per previous years. It was great to get industry support to push through discounted fees for 2024, and for employers to still receive the Apprenticeship Boost funding for this year. If you have any questions, please contact Clare or Steven.
The first class in the Fruit Production Diploma is a research project, which enables the students to fully consider all aspects of trial work in the orchard. They have already locked in their ideas for their trial and are working on their aims, background of theory and methodology. We have ideas ranging from the effect of summer pruning/reflective cloth on harvest parameters/size, as well as light interception.
The students goals are to produce a final report with a research poster and to present their project to their fellow students and some industry representatives. It will be a challenge; but it will expand their confidence and understanding. We can’t wait to see the end result and the presentations in August.
The Level 5 fruit production 2024 program has started, however we welcome students at any time during the year, so there is still time to complete courses this year. Post Harvest Level 5 will start in July, anyone interested please contact Chris cthorman@eit.ac.nz
Noho ora mai,
Clare, Chris and Steven
