FAQs for trainees

How do I get Seafood ITO training?

If you wish to undertake Seafood ITO training you must first be employed within the seafood industry.  You will also need an NZQA identification number and have signed a Seafood ITO Training Agreement with your employer. Once signed, the Training Agreement is registered with Seafood ITO, your employer should send it to us on your behalf. Contact us or a training provider for information about funding for your training.

What is NZQA?

NZQA is the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. They are the organisation responsible for looking after all qualifications in New Zealand, and the database of all people in New Zealand with qualifications.

What is a Training Agreement?

Training Agreements enable trainees to be registered on the NZQA database. Every trainee must fill one out with their employer prior to commencing training. These are then sent to Seafood ITO to keep on record.

How much will it cost me to do a full National Certificate qualification?

The cost will depend on the number of credits you need and how the training and assessment is delivered. You may be eligible for Seafood ITO funding to assist with the cost of the training and assessment. Contact us or your training provider for more info.

What is a Record of Achievement (ROA)?

An NZQA Record of Achievement (ROA) records all credits achieved over a person’s lifetime, from the moment they are registered (or “hooked on” as NZQA call it). Everyone who completes NZQA-registered unit standards for a national qualification has the credits from those assessments registered with NZQA and placed on their ROA. Credits achieved in this way can count towards a national qualification and remain on your ROA for life.

How can I check what unit standards and credits I have already got?

You can access your own Record of Achievement (ROA) directly from the NZQA web site using the secure “learner login” page. You will need to register first using your NZQA identification number. Once registered, you can access your ROA at any time. Otherwise you can contact us or your training provider. You will need to provide your full name and date of birth and, if possible, your NZQA record of learning identification number.

Why does my ROA differ from the list of unit standards I have completed with my training provider?

It can take up to four weeks for assessment results to be reported to Seafood ITO by your training provider or assessor and then forwarded onto NZQA for registration on your ROA. Also, you might have been assessed by other training providers or assessors and these results may not be held by your current provider. Check back in a week or two and if they are still not showing contact your training provider.

Do I have to achieve my qualification within a certain timeframe?

There’s no set timeframe for getting your qualification, though of course the faster you study, the sooner you finish! It’s a good idea to be disciplined and set aside some time every day. We realise that everyone learns at a different pace, so if you find your study harder than you expected, you won’t be penalised for taking longer to complete your qualification than we estimate.

How do I get my National Certificate now that I have completed my qualification?

Your training provider or assessor will usually apply to Seafood ITO to get this for you. If this is not the case, contact us for assistance.

How long will it take for my National Certificate to be issued by Seafood ITO?

If you have all of the credits required to complete the qualification registered on your NZQA record of achievement (ROA) you should receive your certificate or diploma within three weeks of sending in your application to Seafood ITO.

What is assessment?

Assessment is the process to confirm that a trainee is able to perform key tasks and can demonstrate knowledge of what they have been learning. Assessment of a unit standard can take place on-job or off-job.
Most assessment will take place on-job. As a part of the regular work activity of the company the workplace facilitator will check the trainee’s skills against the unit standards in their qualification. An assessor will then check the trainee’s competency once the trainee and facilitator feels that he/she has sufficient knowledge and skills to complete the unit standard. All assessments are carried out by a Registered Seafood ITO Assessor.

What is an assessor?

An Assessor ensures that each learner is competent in the unit standards for which they have undertaken. Assessors can come from within the workplace or from private training establishments. Assessors must be trained and registered with the ITO responsible for the unit standards.

What resources are available?

Seafood ITO has a large amount of learning resources for trainees to help you with your training.  You can see the type of resources we have available here.