The National Trade Academy (NTA) is a registered “Private Training Establishment” based in Christchurch, New Zealand. NTA has been training students for the Land based Industries since 2000 and is located on a 70 hectare training centre, 10 minutes from Christchurch. We are the largest private pre-employment land based training institute in the South Island, NZ.

NTA offers education and training courses in the following sectors; Agriculture (including dairy farming) Horticulture; Equine; and Animal Care. Our courses include options for NZ and international students. NTA currently has 70 full time students and over 150 part time students in study.

NTA provides students with practical skills and knowledge, which leads to a NZ qualification of their choice. There is a strong practical focus and work experience is part of all courses. Depending on whether students can obtain an appropriate visa, NTA can also assist to place students into employment to enable them to implement and practice the skills and have knowledge they have learned. Training is carried out on our own training farm and on local commercial farms close to Christchurch.

All NTA tutors are industry experienced and small classes ensure that students get the support they need to succeed. We have a range of training facilities, machinery and equipment to meet the students and industry’s training needs. NTA also provides English language courses for international students if required prior to studying their vocation.

International markets are proving to be an area of growth for NTA, with many students from South America and parts of Europe, Japan and the Philippines already studying at NTA in agriculture Equine or English. Many of these students are on either government scholarships or are part of joint ventures NTA has with other overseas Vocational Institutes, whereby international students are able to study with NTA and have their NZ training and qualification recognised as part of their practical component required for the qualification they studied in their home country. We also have an English Language school and offer General English as well as English plus Agriculture; English plus Rugby and English plus Horse Riding courses.