How to complete a primary industries apprenticeship is less about academic ability and more about passion, dedication and the ability to set and follow through with clearly defined goals.
Primary ITO training adviser for the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman region, Robyn Patterson, says making the right decision about your career direction - being sure you are right for the apprenticeship - will go a long way to maintaining the commitment needed to finish.
"You need to be committed to what you are doing. It's not literacy or numeracy that will hold you back, but attitude, and good practical skills.
"At level four, trainees need to be able to to do things like finding out information on their own. Self-motivation is a factor, and much of that motivation, self-management and commitment comes down to knowing where you are going."
Primary ITO advisers guide and mentor trainees through their course, but probably one of the most important activities they will do with a trainee is to help them develop and achieve quarterly goals within the apprenticeship programme, as well as farm goals and personal goals.
"We monitor an apprentice's progress, talk with them about how it is going and work out with them and their employer how to negotiate 'roadblocks'.
"We also celebrate successes and always keep in mind what the apprentice is trying to achieve."
Robyn offers these tips to people who want to complete an apprenticeship:
1. Make sure you are right for the apprenticeship.
2. A supportive employer is critical, as well as understanding what your employer's objectives and priorities are, and what role you will play in those.
3. Map out your career path and set goals (study, work and personal).
4. Get buy-in and support from your friends, family, or whanau. You will need them.
5. Pick suitable study times. After work is not advisable because you will be tired.
6. Be organised and keep up with your studies and paperwork.
7. If you fall behind (due to leave, illness or other reasons), talk with your tutor and training adviser about how to catch up.
8. Communicate constantly with your employer. Tell him or her what you are doing in class and discuss how they can help you practically implement what you have learned.
"We want you to succeed, and your employer wants you to succeed. Your chances are massively enhanced when we all know where we're going, and we work together to achieve it," says Robyn.