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Short Course

Cutting Propagation

  Develop your ability to propagate a wide variety of different plants by cuttings. This is a particularly valued skill in today's nursery industry, and while no course alone is going to make you into an exceptional propagator, this training provides a necessary foundation needed to build these skills

Garden Centre Management

  “Here we have an incredibly informative course for anyone seeking to improve their ability to run or manage a garden centre. All aspects of indoor and outdoor plant care are discussed as well as stock selection and optimal plant display techniques. Graduates will also enhance their knowledge of typical garden centre products, marketing strategies, and how to get the most out of their staff.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA. Do you have a passion to Manage a Garden Centre? Can you manage staff and inspire your customers? Then start here and get the inside information on how to run the best garden centre in town!

Horticultural Marketing

  "There are many valuable skills to be learned in this course that will help you market your horticultural enterprise. You will learn strategies pertinent to this kind of business that you had never thought of!” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming. In any business, including horticulture, success depends upon good marketing of your product. This subject covers the theoretical and practical importance of marketing in the horticultural industry, including topics such as advertizing, promotions, signs, customer relations, pricing strategy, labelling, transport, product presentation, and more!

Horticultural Resource Management

   “This course is suitable for a Manager of a horticultural business, or for anyone wanting to work in this kind of position. All aspects are covered, and it will refine the skills needed for this role.”- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, ACS Tutor.

Hydroponic Management (Hydroponics II)

  Develop your capacity to make informed decisions regarding the management of commercially significant hydroponic crops. This course was developed to cover key issues which have been identified as recurrent problems for many experienced growers.  For Experienced Hydroponic growers OR For Anyone who has already completed Hydroponics I Developed by international hydroponic experts Dr Lyn Morgan (NZ) & John Mason (author of "Commercial Hydroponics") “Even more in - depth than Hydroponics I, Hydroponics II takes a closer look at a few plant species in particular. This course will especially suit inclusion in a “Design your own Certificate” study option.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming Suggested Prior Learning: Hydroponics I or significant experience.

Hydroponics for Beginners (I)

  Do you want to learn: how to grow using hydroponics? how to set up hydroponic systems? about nutrient use in hydroponic systems? This is the starting point for anyone serious hydroponic grower who is relatively new to the discipline. This course provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from some of the most experienced hydroponic experts available. This course was designed by John Mason, author of Commercial Hydroponics (now in it's 8th edition) and developed with the assistance of Dr Lyn Morgan, author and commercial hydroponic consultant.

Intermediate Amenity Horticulture (II)

  “This course will help you to gain a broad overview of the use of horticultural practices and the effects it has on the environment, community and cultural issues. Very helpful to any person who is in a position of influence in the industry.- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, Amenity horticulture is the fastest-growing area of horticulture, with excellent opportunities for employment or self-employment in different aspects of horticulture. Plan, design and manage land sites that are used for recreation, pleasure, visual enhancement, or environmental improvement rather than for the production of economic crops. This course will give you the skills and knowledge to ensure all relevant concerns are identified and appropriately considered when planning amenity sites.

Introduction to Amenity Horticulture (I)

  “This is the place to start for anyone with an interest in amenity horticulture or who wishes to understand the industry. Graduates will develop knowledge of the industry at both a global and local level of the different sectors of the industry and become familiar with responsible environmental management strategies of natural and created landscapes.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, WHAT IS AMENITY HORTICULTURE? The horticulture industry can be divided into two broad sectors: the production sector, which is largely involved with producing food crops, and the amenity sector, which is involved with growing plants for recreational or ornamental purposes. However, these should not be seen as clear-cut divisions. The boundaries defining the two sectors tend to vary from country to country and between horticultural institutions and employers. For example, some horticulturists might view floriculture enterprises or wholesale nurseries as being in the production sector, while others would classify them as amenity industries. Amenity horticulture is sometimes described as ‘gardening and landscaping’, ‘ornamental horticulture’ or ‘recreational horticulture’. However, as the nature and scope of the horticulture industry has broadened and evolved, these tags, although convenient, do not adequately describe the range of different industries that fall under the umbrella of ‘amenity horticulture’. Major sectors within the amenity horticulture industry typically include the following:  Arboriculture  Landscape industry  Parks and gardens  Turf management  Nurseries – retail and wholesale  Interior landscaping  Floriculture Each sector uses specialised technical skills and management strategies, but they are all underpinned by the basic horticultural skills of soil and water management, plant nutrition, pests and disease management, and plant knowledge. Amenity horticulture has a vital role to play in the future management of the environment. As custodians of both natural and developed landscapes, amenity horticulturists will be increasingly responsible for ensuring the Earth’s resources are used in a responsible and sustainable manner. This is a module from the RHS M.Hort (based on curriculum developed by the Royal Horticultural Society); this can be taken either as part of the M.Hort Program, as a module in one of our other qualifications or as a stand alone course (Ideal for use as a Professional Development program for persons working in the horticulture industry anywhere in the world).

Nursery Growers Course

  “If you are looking to work in a wholesale nursery, or are planning to set up your own, this course provides a good foundation of applicable skills. After this course you will feel confident taking on work in this interesting industry.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming

Nursery Hands Course

  “Those who seek to enter the nursery industry or who are currently employed in a nursery will find this course invaluable. From plant identification to propagation, nursery structures to irrigation, this course has it all. Graduates will be accomplished in all aspects of nursery work from the ground up to marketing.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA

Nursery Sales Assistant

  “Whether dealing directly with members of the public or with other professionals such as landscape gardeners, it is imperative that nursery sales staff have sufficient plant knowledge to communicate effectively. That’s where this course comes in. A must do course for those wishing to improve their sales skills whilst simultaneously improving their awareness of plant identification, use, and care.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA, ACS Tutor.  UNIQUE NURSERY SALES COURSE (recently updated!) Our Nursery Sales Assistant Course has recently undergone a major update to Sales Skills in a nursery section. Many nursery sales assistants are passionate about plants, but lack the necessary sales skills to boost sales. Others have a good selling ability but lack the plant knowledge needed to assist customers and really ‘sell’ the product. The Nursery Sales Assistants course has been developed to provide the necessary balance between plant knowledge and sales skills. Your staff will learn all about plant identification, plant care, how to advise customers and all about important sales secrets that will boost your bottom line. This course will train staff on how to ‘open’ and most importantly, ‘close’ a sale!

Operational Business Management Advanced (II)

  Develop a capacity to apply legal, contractual and staff management considerations to demonstrate informed interpretation and analysis, critical thought processes and an understanding of complex issues in relation to the management of a range of different sectors of the horticulture industry.

Operational Business Management Foundations (I)

  “Building on the first operational business module this course delves into the prominent legal aspects of the horticulture industry in terms of contract and employment law as well as sound financial practices. In addition, man management techniques designed to improve productivity are discussed. Ideal for anyone in a horticultural management position.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA.Learn the business of horticulture with this module from the prestigious and world-renowned Royal Horticultural Society. This is a module from the RHS M.Hort (based on curriculum developed by the Royal Horticultural Society); this can be taken either as part of the M.Hort Program, as a module in one of our other qualifications or as a stand alone course (Ideal for use as a Professional Development program for persons working in the horticulture industry anywhere in the world).  

Organic Plant Culture

  Become an Expert at Organic Growing This courses has been developed by a team of organic experts including John Mason (author of Sustainable Agriculture) and Maggi Brown (former Education Officer with Garden Organic /HDRA). It is a very solid training ground for anyone who is serious about growing organic vegetables, herbs or other plants.

Plant Breeding

  Plant breeding is a bigger industry than most people realize. In some places, earnings from plant breeding rights can equal or exceed earnings from actually producing plants. Today's nurseryman needs to understand plant breeding and selection; and to this end, this course is a very valuable and unique course for anyone working in the modern industry.

Plant Protection

  A course for technicians, gardeners and horticulturalists that need to know in detail horticultural pest and disease identification and control, with chemical and biological solutions and safety procedures and practices. THE MAIN WAYS OF CONTROLLING PESTS OR DISEASES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Sanitation - maintaining good hygiene Physical control methods e.g. mowing, slashing, burning, flooding, hand removal, physical barriers (ie. netting, fences), etc. Using plant varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases Biological controls Chemical controls (artificial and naturally derived). Soil drenches/dips This course takes a "wholistic approach, giving appropriate consideration to all of these "methods", without bias toward any particular method  

Propagation for Beginners

   Learn to propagate plants commercially and efficiently. Plants are propagated both sexually (from two parents eg. seed & spore) and asexually (from two parents eg. cuttings, grafting, layers, division). This course deals with the principles of propagation, and all of these methods; as well as materials and equipment.

Soil Management (Horticulture)

  "It may be obvious to most that healthy soils produce healthy plants, but what is a healthy soil when it comes to crop production? This course goes deep into the chemical and physical aspects of soil composition, testing, and management to provide the student with the necessary skills to manipulate soils for optimal crop yields.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA.Good soil conditions are critical to the healthy growth of most plants. Over eight lessons this course will develop an understanding of physical & chemical properties of soils, the ability to carry out simple tests and determine soil characteristics, and to decide ways of treating a soil to improve its ability to grow plants.The course is specifically designed for ornamental gardens, landscaping, container growing, and turf situations.

Trees For Rehabilitation (Landcare Reafforestation)

  “If you want to know about rehabilitating sites without having to do a degree, this is a good place to obtain the knowledge necessary to get you up and running. It offers hands on and practical.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming. This course develops an understanding of environmental systems and the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. You learn about seed collection, storage and germination, propagation, plant selection, establishment techniques, controlling pest & disease after planting. It will give you the skills required to maintain healthy rehabilitation systems.

Weed Control

  Learn to identify and effectively control more than 100 weeds, to design management strategies and programs and apply control techniques efficiently and safely. In the eight lessons covered in the book you learn about both chemical and non-chemical control methods (mulching, burning, mowing), the use of spray equipment and safety procedures which should be followed.

Wholesale Nursery Management

  "This fascinating course works as a compendium of all you need to know about establishing a nursery and running it to its maximum profitability. Everything from site selection, plant specialisation, irrigation and feeding techniques, to marketing strategies, cost analyses, and employee productivity is covered. Nursery managers and owners alike will benefit tremendously from completing this course.” - Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA.Why not start your own production nursery?Do you want to supply quality plants to the retail market?... Then learn about establishing your own business here!  


Certificate

Certificate In Horticulture

  This is a vocationally-oriented course comprising core studies in general horticulture plus specialised stream studies in an area of your own choice. The course is designed to lay a foundation for a long-term career in horticulture by developing your ability to identify a large range of plants, your knowledge of essential horticultural principles and practices, your practical skills in plant propagation, growth and care, and your ability to adapt to changing situations.

Certificate In Horticulture (Cut Flowers)

  Want to work on or set up a cut flower farm but need to acquire knowledge in the key areas of horticulture?   This course offers the well rounded knowledge required to work in this field.Specialisation is key to cut flower production, however the fundamentals of horticulture are also important to all areas of plant growing.This course covers both the general fundamentals in its core units and specialises in cut flowers in the stream units.A 700 hr course for people working or wanting to work in the area of cut flower production. This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to the production and marketing of cut flowers. The Core Units are the same as for the above certificates (ie. Introduction to Plants, Plant Culture, Soils and Nutrition, Plant Identification and Use, Pests, Diseases and Weeds).

Certificate In Horticulture (Horticultural Technology)

  “Want to work in hydroponics? You will need more than just knowledge of hydroponic growing systems. This excellent and comprehensive course covers the general horticultural knowledge required for successful plant growing (irrelevant of the method) in the first 15 lessons then focuses on hydroponics in the second half.”  - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert 1V Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort. A 600 hr accredited course that develops knowledge and skills in the application of modern technology to horticulture; with particular emphasis on hydroponics.The Core Units cover: Introduction to Plants, Plant Culture, Soils and Nutrition, Plant Identification and Use, Propagation & Pests, Diseases and Weeds. This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to horticultural technology

Certificate In Horticulture (Ornamental Horticulture)

  “This course is equivalent to doing a Trade Certificate. It focuses on the requirements for growing and maintaining plants in ornamental display gardens. A good course for people who want to work in parks and gardens where there are display beds to maintain.” - Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming. The Certificate in Horticulture (Ornamental Horticulture) is a vocationally oriented course comprising core studies (general horticulture) and stream studies specific to ornamental horticulture. The objective of the course is to: develop general and broad based skills in horticultural practices and plant identification. provide more specific knowledge in areas of ornamental horticulture including garden maintenance, turf care, arboriculture, landscaping and nursery work.

Certificate In Horticulture (Plant Protection)

  A 700 hr certificate that provides initial training in the area of plant protection. This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to plant protection. Areas such as pest and disease treatment, plant health, correct use of chemicals and the best way to care for your plants are covered.

Certificate In Horticulture (Propagation)

    The Certificate in Horticulture (Plant Propagation) is a 600 hour course designed principally for plant propagators. This course is similar to other VHT002 horticulture certificates in its introductory (core) units, but devotes 50% of the course to topics specifically related to plant propagation, dealing with hundreds of different types of plants, and methods used to propagate them. The objective of the course is to: develop skills and knowledge about propagating different types of plants by seed, cuttings, budding and grafting, separation, division and layering in a commercially viable way. develop skills and knowledge about tools, equipment & growing structures used in a nursery for plant production. develop general skills in horticultural practices and plant identification.

Certificate In Hydroponics

  This course provides an understanding of modern technology and its application to growing plants, with emphasis on hydroponic production. You will be able to set up your own business with the skills learnt here and feel confident consulting on the use of Hydroponics. “A great course for those with some general horticultural knowledge – all aspects of hydroponics are covered in this well-rounded course from growing to marketing!” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert 1V Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort,


Advanced Certificate

Advanced Cert in Applied Management -Wholesale Nursery

  Start, Manage or Work in a Production Nursery. This course is for anyone who works in the wholesale or production nursery industry.

Advanced Certificate In Applied Management (Horticultural Technology)

  “Interested in Hydroponics at a management level or want to start your own business? Then this comprehensive, exiting and challenging course will meet all your needs. Covers broad general management skills along with hydroponic growing.” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care., Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert 1V Assessment and Training., Adv.Dip.Hort

Advanced Certificate In Applied Management (Retail Nursery)

  A 900 hour course develops both skills required to manage a retail business, and knowledge in identification, care and handling of plants and other products sold through retail nurseries. The course trains managers or supervisors rather than workers. There are 7 units plus a 200 hr workplace project in this course. These are the 4 core units common to all streams of this Advanced Certificate ( plus three specialist units of study relating to the management and operation of a retail nursery.


Associate Diploma

Associate Diploma In Horticulture

  “Flexibility is the key to this course - it won’t pigeon hole you into one area but develops the broad skills and flexibility required by horticulturists in all sectors of the industry. An excellent course for those not necessary wanting to specialise. More employment opportunities exist for those with broad knowledge and skills.” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert IV Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort, Horticulture is a cornerstone to our society. Plants provide us with food, have a major impact upon our environment (eg. Air quality, temperature, flood control etc), and provide places to play (sports grounds, children’s playgrounds etc. These are only a few of the more obvious places we find horticulture. Horticultural staff need to have a strong foundation in both science and plants. They need to know: What affects plant growth (Soils, nutrition, water, temperature, pests etc) Cultural Techniques (Propagation, pruning, planting, shelter, etc) Plant Knowledge (Plant family characteristics, classification system, etc


Diploma

Diploma in Horticulture

 


Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma In Horticultural Management

  “Professional managers in horticulture are scarce and opportunities abound for those with the good solid qualifications this course delivers. If you are ready to advance your career, or have aspirations beyond the average, then this management focussed course (that also encourages thorough horticultural knowledge) will enable you to fulfil your goals.” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert IV Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort, Horticultural managers find employment wherever plants are being cultivated; from golf courses and parks to home gardens and market gardens. The nature and scope of horticultural management has changed dramatically in recent decades and will no doubt continue to change rapidly; but there will always remain a need for horticultural managers while we continue to eat fruit and vegetables, play sport and use tree planting to improve the environment in which we live. Horticultural managers need to have a strong foundation in both horticulture and management. They need to know how to identify lots of different plants, the science that underpins understanding how to grow those plants and the practical techniques which are applied within the industry. This course provides a broad based foundation to allow you to adapt to and work in different sectors of the industry. Whatever is in vogue at different times throughout your career, this course will prepare you to move into and adapt to working in that part of the industry.

Advanced Diploma In Horticulture (Nursery)

  “The nursery trade is crying out for well educated managers able to apply their knowledge and skills without constant supervision. This course covers all aspects of nursery management; it is structured to develop students with sound management skills.” - Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Cert.Child Care, Adv.Cert.App.Mgt., Cert IV Assessment and Training, Adv.Dip.Hort.Take a leap forward into a career in Nursery ManagementDo you work in a nursery or want to develop a career in one in a managerial position? Then this course is the best for you. This course has been specifically designed to provide excellent and applied training for people wishing to work in nurseries at a technician or management level; in positions such as nursery managers, technical representatives or consultants. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS There are no academic pre-requisites for this course but it is expected that successful applicants have achieved an educational level that will enable the completion of the course objectives. Entry to this course is based on: a person with 5 years industry experience; Year 12 standard of education; mature age student.

Advanced Diploma In Horticulture - Ornamental Horticulture

  This is a comprehensive course that provides training for people to work in the care and development of gardens, parks, or other areas of amenity horticulture (eg. Tree management, Turf management, interior plantscaping), at a Technician or Management level, in positions such as: Managers, Technical officers, or Consultants. It opens up so many new areas of opportunity in Horticulture.

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