Horticulture
National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) (Level 2)
This is an introductory certificate for people entering into the Horticulture industry. The aim of the qualification is to provide a sound basis for further education and training. This may be in sectors of the Horticulture industry such as;
- landscaping,
- working in gardens, parks and conservation reserves,
- production horticulture, growing food crops such as vegetables,
- fruit production in orchards,
- viticulture, growing grapes in vineyards, mainly for wine,
- nursery production, growing plants to sell such as flowers and trees,
- arboriculture, caring for trees,
- Permaculture; an approach to designing Agricultural systems that mimic relationships found in natural ecologies.
- Organic horticulture.
Structure:
This course has a 'roll-on, roll-off' nature, which means that students can start at any time, depending on waiting lists. The course runs from Monday to Thursday, 9am until 4pm, with Fridays set aside for self directed learning or work experience. The qualifications each take about a year to complete, however we support students for as long as it takes to gain full-time employment or further training. This may be more, or less, than a year, depending on the student's personal goals. The course runs from January to December for 47 weeks, including two weeks recess. The Horticulture and Forestry course is run as one group with two tutors, so students can do both qualifications, or specialise in one area.
Content:
The course will cover a variety of topics including;
- Chainsaw operations
- Conservation
- ATVs and motorbikes
- Agri-chemical use and handling
- Growing vegetables and other crops
- Composting and vermiculture (worm farming)
- Health and Safety
- Fencing and shelter
- Soils and fertilizers
- Seeds and propagation
- Life skills
- Permaculture (sustainability and life-cycles)
- Arborist skills
- Silviculture (forest plantation management)
- Fruit production (orchards)
A qualification from the National Trade Academy is your pathway to a career working in the great outdoors.
Outcome:
People who complete this course will be able to demonstrate fundamental knowledge and elementary skills relevant to various sectors of the horticulture industry. Students graduate with the National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) (Level 2).
