Training - Primary ITO - NZ Certificate in Sports Turf - Apprenticeships
Learning with Primary ITO in 2026
Primary ITO transitioned on 1st January 2026 from being a business division of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (previously known as Te Pūkenga) to operating as a business division of the Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board (ISB).
All programmes, micro-credentials and training activities previously delivered by Primary ITO continue unchanged and are now overseen by the Food and Fibre ISB. All enrolments in these programmes and training activities (including current, former and pending enrolments) have automatically transferred to the Food and Fibre ISB. Employers and trainees were not required to sign new training agreements, as existing agreements transferred automatically.
Primary ITO continues to deliver training and manage enrolments on behalf of the Food and Fibre ISB. Enrolments for 2026 remain available through the Primary ITO website.
If you have any questions about this change or how it affects your training, further information is available on the TEC website, the Food and Fibre ISB website, or you can contact Primary ito directly.
For Sports Turf Apprenticeship information visit https://www.primaryito.ac.nz/programme-listing-page/new-zealand-apprenticeship-sports-turf
Primary ITO provide qualifications in the Agriculture, Horticulture, Processing and Sports Turf Industries.
How Does a Apprenticeship Work?
An apprenticeship is a three-way relationship between an employer, employee, and the local Primary ITO Training Adviser. As an apprentice, you keep working for your employer while achieving the unit standards in your programme of study.
To achieve a unit standard, you must show that you are competent in the task that standard covers. Your employer or another assessor will verify that you are competent and have completed the unit standard. Primary ITO keep track of your process in their database. The unit standards add up as you work through your apprenticeship. Once you finish all of them, you complete your apprenticeship.
How To Enrol To Become An Apprentice
If you would like to complete a Apprenticeship you will need to talk to your employer first. Your employer must be committed to supporting you with your learning. Then get in touch with Primary ITO to talk through the options and get more information. Primary ITO will support you through your learning and apprenticeship.
The Primary ITO currently has the following Sports Turf qualifications registered on the NZQA framework:
New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Sports Turf)
Level 3
57 credits
7 training days during winter
10 month duration
Autumn intake
New Zealand Apprenticeship in Horticulture Services (Sports Turf)
Levels 3 & 4
242 credits
Block course each winter
39 month duration
Autumn intake
