Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries
Micro-credential
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Apply for the Micro-credential Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries
Limited Spaces Available
(Scholarships available for targeted industry partners)
Why Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries ?
This micro-credential builds learners’ knowledge and practical skills to implement continuous improvement processes within horticultural enterprises and across the wider industry. Participants will develop the capability to identify opportunities for improvement, apply structured problem-solving approaches, and embed sustainable change in operational systems and practices.
Course Schedule:
- Orientation: Tuesday 8 September 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Weekly Classes: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (from 9 September – 25 November 2026)
- Field Trip: 29 September – 1 October (3 day compulsory)
The cost of this micro-credential in 2026 is $1,280 NZD including GST.
- Fees free to targeted industry partners
- Face-to-face or join online
- Under 3 months to receive your micro credential
- Tailored to your work
- 20 credits on the NZ Qualifications Framework at Level 6
Why This Course Could Change Your Career
- Understand fresh produce physiology
- Understand the impact of preharvest activities on postharvest performance
Meet Your
Course Tutor
Sandy Scarrow
Bachelor of Horticultural Science
Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture, Business and Administration
Sandy was born into a horticultural family and made production horticulture her career when, after graduating with a Bachelor of Horticultural Science from Massey, she began working as a Horticultural Advisor with MAF 36 years ago. Over that time, Sandy has worked with growers and the wider industry to implement technological changes that have lifted production and improved other outputs.
About the micro-credential Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries
LO 1: Critique current systems that facilitate continuous improvement in a horticultural workplace.
LO 2: Review inputs and outputs in a horticultural business or sector to enhance the quality of economic, environmental, social and/or cultural outcomes.
LO 3: Research Indigenous frameworks/approaches within horticulture to lock in continuous improvements.
LO 4: Plan the introduction of continuous improvement processes in a horticultural business.
- Understanding the systems used to support continuous improvement
- Historical perspective on quality management systems
- Understanding lean manufacturing and its implementation within horticultural businesses.
- Understanding principles of kaitiakitanga in land management.
- Participate in a 3-day fieldtrip/workshop series where learners are introduced to the range of quality systems used in New Zealand horticulture. Workshops include presentations from leading growers/processors in New Zealand speaking on the current and future trends with respect to continuous improvement.
- Examples of systems used to lock in continuous quality improvements as required by major clients.
- Customer focus in production.
- Global GAP, GRASP, BRC
- Talk with compliance managers in a range of horticultural crops to discuss the strategies they have for maintaining market access and quality systems within their enterprise
- Understanding the systems available for the production of organic produce available within Aotearoa New Zealand
- Environmental Management Systems and their impact
- Farm Management Plans
- Managing relationships with the community
- “Social licence”
- Presentation from someone from the sustainable business network on the interaction of business, their environment and their community.
Week 9 – Future Trends in Continuous Improvements
- Analysis of future trends and potential continuous improvements trends.
- Checkpoints/Peer Work
- Students present their analysis of continuous improvements systems within their industry and critique and recommend improvements to the systems within that industry.
- O Week: 8 September 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Week 1: 9 September, Wednesdays, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (from 9 September – 25 November 2026)
- Fieldtrip: 29 September – 1 October 2026 (3 day compulsory)
- Week 12: 25 November
There are no prerequisites. Entry to the programme of study will be in order of receipt of applications and enrolments by applicants who meet the entry criteria required under the programme regulations and have appropriate capabilities to complete the programme of study successfully.
Successful completion of a Level 4 Certificate or above (or equivalent), preferably in the Primary Industries subject area, OR
For applicants 20 years or older without the above academic criteria, evidence of relevant knowledge, experience, and the ability to undertake tertiary study at the diploma level is required. In this case, the applicant must participate in an enrolment interview to verify the evidence.
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to this programme of study, where they supply evidence to satisfy the Academic Committee of their ability to succeed in the programme.
Students must demonstrate significant workplace experience (e.g. a supervisory and/or management role OR equivalent) within the horticulture industry.
Students will be required to provide evidence that they can progress through the programme of study. This may require any or more of the following:
- Pre-Enrolment Interview
- Challenge assessments
- Submission of a portfolio of work
Further details about entry criteria are contained in the supporting documentation.
To Apply for the ‘Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries‘ micro-credential, fill out the Online Application Form and select ‘Micro-Credential – Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries‘ as your chosen programme of study.
After receiving your application, we will be in touch within 5 working days to confirm your eligibility and enrolment status.
Feedback about the Course
Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries
Don’t take our word for it, hear from employees and employers around New Zealand who have taken the “Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries” course themselves or who have had the staff do the course!
Get ahead of
the competition
Industry-informed case studies and real-world engagement — understanding not just what works in New Zealand horticulture, but why it works and how to improve it.
Understand the systems behind high-performing horticultural businesses — and learn how to apply them to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and lift margins.
Align production systems with customer-driven quality standards (Global GAP, GRASP, BRC) to maintain market access and build long-term client confidence.
Embed Environmental Management Systems, Freshwater Risk, and social licence considerations into everyday decision-making to protect both reputation and long-term viability.
Critically analyse existing systems within your enterprise and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations for improvement.
Apply lean manufacturing principles in real horticultural contexts to streamline operations and unlock measurable gains in productivity.
Translate regulatory and audit requirements into structured systems that strengthen performance — not just paperwork.
Engage directly with leading growers, processors, and compliance managers to understand how successful businesses maintain standards and adapt to change.
Anticipate emerging trends in quality, sustainability, and market expectations — and position your business ahead of them.
Join our live Q&A
session online
Fill out your details below, and we will send you a link to join our Q&A session with our course tutor
About The Fruition
Level 6 Diploma
This micro-credential course is equivalent to one of six papers that make up the full Fruition Level 6 Diploma of Horticulture Production course that is completed over two years.
Fruition is offering the “Continuous Improvement in Horticultural Industries” paper as a micro credential, meaning you can gain knowledge from this amazing course without having to commit to the full diploma.
We offer our credentials with the intention to seek approval for these to be stacked towards the Fruition Diploma of Horticulture Production.
