2 Year National Diploma in Animal or Plant Production

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 

• Matric certificate (conditions apply*). You do not have to submit this on enrolment, we will give you admittance on your Grade 11 results. Once you’ve received your matric certificate you must send it to us.
• Learners who do not have a matric certificate should complete the National Certificate NQF Level 4 in Animal or Plant Production first.

MATRIC CERTIFICATE CONDITIONS 

• The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40-49%) or better in four recognised NSC 20-credit subjects.
• Institutional and programme needs may require appropriate combinations of recognised FETC subjects and levels of achievement. Click here for a list of recognised NSC subjects.

1st YEAR 

• Next intake March 2023 (English & Afrikaans group).
• During the first year, learners will be stationed at one of two sites (Cullinan farm & Welgevonden). Learners will spend 6 months in total on the practical sites (intermittent rotational basis – schedule to be communicated to learners). This will be repeated throughout the year to give every learner exposure to all the practical and theoretical training needed.
• Learners will be expected to carryout basic routine maintenance, new installations, and normal production-based tasks on site, under supervision of an instructor or farm manager.
• Learners will intermittently live, work, and study at each of the sites mentioned above.

Agri Skills Transfer has been offering the National Diploma in Agriculture since 2012 on a distance learning basis.  We realised that the ultimate way forward will be to have an agricultural training facility where students have the best of both (training & practical contact sessions combined with workplace experience).  Our Cullinan Farm Training Centre has been up and running for 3 years. We are extremely excited to introduce our new venture for 2023 where we partner with Morgan Beef to offer an amazing, blended learning experience for our learners.

TRAINING, PRACTICAL, AND WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE 

The following infrastructure and opportunities are provided for agricultural training purposes:

Cullinan

Welgevonden (Delmas)

• Cattle
• Goats
• Piggery
• Poultry
• Sheep
• Various fruit trees
• Vegetable farming
• Basics of construction

• Agrochemical application
• Agronomy
• Cattle production
• Feedlot
• Sheep
• Workshop practices
• Tractor operation and maintenance

Learners will have weekly theoretical and practical training sessions.

Choose one of the following AgriSeta Accredited courses:

• National Diploma: Animal Production

SAQA ID 49011, NQF Level 5

• National Diploma: Plant Production

SAQA ID 49010, NQF level 5

Learners will only be allowed to register for one qualification at a time, as per AgriSETA regulations. Should a learner wish to complete both qualifications they first have to complete one 2-year National Diploma and then do a 3rd year to finish the second 

2nd YEAR 

• Learners must find a new site / farm for all their practical needs. During the 2nd year they must complete at least 7 months of practical (total of 12 months, minimum, over the 2 years).
• Learners must realise that for the 2nd year, they are responsible for their own site / farm to do their practical farm-based experiential learning.
• Theory for 2nd years will be on Google Classroom (online). Learners can access their learning material from here, as well as their assignments, videos, and support. Assignments must be submitted on the platform.
• Learners will receive a demonstration on the platform to help them.

PRACTICAL WORKPLACE GUIDELINES 

Learners looking for a 2nd year site should keep the following in mind:

• Learners will be able to make use of the Agri Skills Cullinan Farm Training Centre, to do practical on weekends, public holidays, and during school holidays (by arrangement only).
• Learners will be visited by verifiers from Agri Skills to ensure that workplaces are providing the necessary workplace experience and they are legit.
• Learners can work on family farms.
• Learners can work overseas in the agricultural industry.
• Learners can get involved in Agricultural Community Projects.
• Learners can also log visits to livestock auctions, farmer’s days, information days at different companies, as well as any other educational events.
• Learners are encouraged to form clusters / groups and work together on their practical projects. For example, if a learner has a family farm / agricultural enterprise they can invite others from their course to do their practical on the farm. This should still be logged in your logbook.

We hope that the above guidelines will enable more students to follow their dream and be able to start a career in agriculture.

LOGBOOK 

• All National Diploma learners must complete a logbook to keep record of their practical experience.
• It is essential that you start your logbook as soon as you start doing your practical. The logbook also functions as your attendance register.
• Logbooks are completed daily. This includes theoretical sessions, indicating the unit standard that was done during that week.
• As adult learners it is your responsibility to keep your logbook up to date and to get the necessary person/s to sign it off.
• Uncompleted logbooks will prevent you from getting your diploma.
• The person signing off your logbook must have good agricultural knowledge. This could be your mentor, supervisor, or boss.
• You must log 14 months (minimum) of practical during your 2-year course.

LANGUAGE 

• There will be an English and an Afrikaans group.
• Please note for the Afrikaans group that all learning material will still be in English. However, the class will be given in Afrikaans and assignments can be completed in Afrikaans.

ACCOMMODATION 

Cullinan & Morgan Beef (Welgevonden, Delmas) all have dormitory style accommodation where learners will share a room (each sleep 2 – 12 people) and bathroom facilities. Please bring your own bedding.

Price is included in the course fee.  Limited space available, booking essential.  Only first year students can stay on the farm / site.

MEALS 

Learners staying in the dormitory are responsible for their own meals. A fully equipped kitchen (and braai area) is available onsite.  Please bring your own set of cutlery.

ONCE-OFF 

1st YEAR COURSE FEE (INCLUDING ACCOMMODATION):

• R 81 530 per learner for their 1st year.
• Includes course fee and accommodation* (excludes meals).
• Once-off payment per year.

2nd YEAR COURSE FEE:

• R 46 530 per learner for their 2nd year.
• Once-off payment per year.
• Accommodation fees not applicable.

Total cost for 2 years R128 060.00

PAYMENT PLAN 

1st YEAR COURSE FEE (INCLUDING ACCOMMODATION):

• Deposit 1st year: R15 000.
• 10 monthly instalments: R7 225 per month:
• Includes course fee and accommodation* (excludes meals).
• Total cost for 1st year: R87 250.

2nd YEAR COURSE FEE:

• Deposit 2nd year:  R15 000.
• 10 monthly instalments: R3 725 per month.
• Accommodation fees not applicable.
• Total cost for 2nd year: R52 250.

Total cost for 2 years R139 500.00

INCLUDED IN THE COURSE FEES > > >

• Learning material and workbooks.
• Facilitation and assessment fees.
• Moderation fees.
• Certification.
• Support.

The following short courses are included (for free), and diploma learners will attend these on scheduled dates.

• Basic beef cattle production.
• Basic goat production.
• Basic pig husbandry.
• Basic poultry production (boilers & layers).
• Basic plant production.
• Basic sheep production.
• First Aid Level 1 and Basic Fire Fighting.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Please note that the above does not include:

• Meals and refreshments (except where otherwise stated).
• PPE (protective clothing). All learners must bring the following:
• 3 sets of overalls.
• Safety gloves.
• Safety shoes.
• Gumboots.
• Hat.

NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN ANIMAL OR PLANT

Learners who wish to complete a second National Diploma can do so after they’ve completed their first two years in either animal or plant production. This year will be distance learning / online and learners will receive support as with their 2nd year of study. Practicals will still need to be done and logbooks will also need to be completed as in the 2nd year.

3rd year cost is R35 000.

OR

NATURE GUIDE 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Tourist Guiding (SAQA ID 71549)

Combine your love for farming with the interesting and varied world of tourism. Give international and local visitors a creative and innovative guiding experience they’ll never forget. Agritourism is your farm’s future.

• Training will include theory and practical.
• Assessments include assignments, written tests, and verbal presentations.
• Learners will be stationed at Windy Brow Nature Reserve (Cullinan) for part of the year. The rest will be done via distance learning.

3rd year cost is R58 000.

Additional costs:

• Excursions to other biomes will be at an additional cost. These are not compulsory, and details will be communicated with learners.
• Accommodation.

ALTERNATIVE 

• 1-year full time National Certificate in Animal or Plant Production, NQF Level 4.
• Requires a Grade 11 certificate to enrol.

GENERAL INFORMATION 

• Learners will start registration & theory in March 2023, practical to start in April 2023.
• Learners will be stationed at Cullinan. Learners can live, work, and study on the farm for a maximum of 3 months. Alternative practical site/s must be obtained for the rest of the year.
• Accommodation is dormitory style where learners will share a room (each sleep 2 – 12 people) and bathroom facilities. Please bring your own bedding. Price is included in the course fee.
• Learners staying in the dormitory are responsible for their own meals. A fully equipped kitchen (and braai area) is available onsite.  Please bring your own set of cutlery.
• As with the Diploma course a logbook must be completed to keep record of your practical. Uncompleted logbooks will prevent you from getting your National Certificate.

COST – ONCE-OFF 

COURSE FEE (INCLUDING ACCOMMODATION):

• R 81 530 per learner.
• Includes course fee and Cullinan accommodation (excludes meals).
• Once-off payment per year.

COST – PAYMENT PLAN 

COURSE FEE (INCLUDING ACCOMMODATION):

• Deposit: R15 000.
• 10 monthly instalments: R7 225 per month.
• Includes course fee and Cullinan accommodation (excludes meals).
• Total cost: R87 250.

After successfully complete your National Certificate, you can do the National Diploma.

AGRI SKILLS CULLINAN FARM TRAINING CENTRE 

K112 Farm, Doornkraal, Cullinan.

Coordinates: 25°34’41.64”S 28°37’25.09”E

Find us using Agriskills Agricultural Training Centre on Google Maps.

MORGAN BEEF (WELGEVONDEN, DELMAS)

Plaas Couwenburg, Delmas.

Coordinates: 26°16'04.3"S 28°47'04.7"E

Find us using Morgan Beef (Pty) Ltd on Google Maps.

For other agricultural products and services, click here.