Agricultural Contractor Training
Course details
About the course
Retrain and get into the Agriculture sector as an Agricultural Contractor! Learn how to cultivate land, plant and harvest crops, work with tractors, harvesters and other essential farm equipment. If you have good practical skills, technical knowhow and can work to deadlines then this industry is a great redeployment option for you.
This course is six weeks long and will teach you all the skills you need to have to become an agricultural/rural contractor.
- Two weeks Agriculture training at SIT’s Telford Campus
- Two weeks driver training at SIT's Invercargill Campus
- Two weeks work placement with a contractor company
NO FEES - See Additional Information for details
Agricultural / Rural contractors carry out a broad range of activities including:
- Working with tractors, harvesters, vehicles and a wide variety of plant
- Working and communicating with all types of farmers and their staff
- Land cultivation
- Planting, maintaining crops and harvesting
- Rural earthmoving
- A wide variety of activities designed to support the farmer
- Facing new challenges in different circumstances and locations almost every day
This course consists of:
- Two weeks Agriculture Training at SIT’s Telford Campus near Balclutha,
- Farm Health and Safety
- Basic mechanics
- Tractor driving
- Towing trailers and implements
- Understanding the work of an agricultural contractor
- Two weeks Driver Training at SIT's Invercargill Campus
- Driver training
- Wheels and Tracks (Wand T) endorsements
- Forklift OSH and F endorsement
- Loads
- Fatigue management
- Work time and log books
- Defensive driving
- Basic tractor servicing and maintenance
- Work Placement
- Health and safety
- Reading and applying Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs)
- Coaching by a more experienced person to work on tractors, attachments, and trailers
- Basic mechanics
About the provider
Join one of New Zealand's top agricultural training providers and get hands-on experience that sets you up for success in the industry.
At Telford, we offer a hands-on learning experience like no other, preparing you for the challenges and rewards of the agricultural sector. Whether you’re interested in farming, equine, or land-based trades, our industry-leading courses provide you with the skills and real-world experience to stand out. With 2026 enrolments now open, take the first step toward a rewarding career by joining one of New Zealand’s top agricultural training providers. Apply today and start shaping your future!
- 856 hectares of active farmland
- Hands-on Practical Training & Learning
- Blended Delivery and On-Campus Courses