Home arrow Course Information arrow Horticulture (Higher Education)
Pushpa Patel

Pushpa Patel

On the job training is the best way to gain practical experience in Horticulture. The field trips and exposure to different industry practices helps us identify the true meaning of horticulture. ... more »

Horticulture (Higher Education)

{NTIS Course Code: 21808VIC}
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION
(CRICOS Course Code: 063812J)

Qualification:

This is a unique qualification developed by Horticultural Skills Australia for the training of people already operating in the horticulture industry seeking a horticultural qualification or for persons seeking to upgrade existing qualifications. The qualification is approved and accredited by the Victorian State registration authority VRQA and registered as:

Duration:

6 months / 26 Weeks

Tuition Fees:

AUD$6,500.00

Application Fee:

AUD$250.00 (including all materials)

Course structure

This qualification comprises completion of five (5) units of competency as delivered as follows:

  • Manage integrated approaches to sustainable soil management

  • Assess plant suitability for production

  • Manage nursery production

  • Manage the introduction of new horticultural systems

  • Mange Product quality

Unit content

VBQU 590: Manage product quality VBQU 594: Manage integrated approaches to sustainable soil management VBQU 593: Manage nursery production VBQU 591: Manage the introduction of new horticultural systems VBQU 592: Assess plant suitability for productivity

Background to the course:

It is intended that this course will provide education pathways for specialist growers and managers who can demonstrate an aptitude to complete the course based on previous experience and qualifications.
The course is designed to allow articulation into Degree level qualifications in Horticulture from Diploma level training

It is expected that candidates will demonstrate their suitability by:

  • having obtained a Bachelor or higher education qualification and wish to expand their knowledge and skills in horticultural production, or.

  • having obtained Diploma qualification and have significant relevant vocational practice and wish to expand their knowledge and skills in horticultural production., or

  • being currently employed in an organization engaged in the technical aspects of managing horticultural production and need a formal qualification, or

  • being currently employed in large horticultural businesses and agri-business organizations engaged in related areas such as sales, where they are required to provide technical advice and services to clients, or

  • having started their own horticultural business and require technical skills in crop establishment, agronomy and management of product quality.

In addition participants entering the course may be required to complete a skills examination and / or provide a third party employer certification of the participant's ability to manage a work team or a project.

Articulation / Pathways:

New opportunities for articulation are being developed and are expected to be announced shortly.

Our delivery strategy enables students to complete multiple qualifications and achieve the required industry based qualification via numerous pathways.

This course is designed to cater for nursery and production horticulture industries covering vegetables, fruits, nut crops and viticulture industry.

There are no pre- requisites for any of the units of competency in the course structure.

However, opportunities are provided to participants to apply for credit for any of the unit of competency through the RPL process. Therefore, successful completion of this course may be obtained through a combination of RPL and on-off the job learning.

This qualification offers our clients unique benefits, leading to enhanced employability and changing of their profiles in the industry.

This is a unique profile changing qualification specially designed for graduates desiring to enhance their employment prospects across all sectors of the horticulture and agribusiness industry.

Students completing this qualification are eligible to obtain credits into the Bachelor of Horticulture degree program.

HSA Our Difference:

The consultancy arm of our business provides strength and support to our training program-this why we deliver a training program with a difference. Through this part of our business we have established partnerships across all industry sectors throughout Australia.

Unlike other training organizations, HSA is a specialist school delivering full range of horticultural qualifications across all key sectors of the industry.

Our teaching team consists of highly qualified experts in their field with a horticultural research and consultancy background.

Our qualifications are designed, developed and delivered in consultation with the industry partners - this is why our graduates are sought after by the industry.

Our commitment to industry is to supply them with well trained and job ready people to perform variety of jobs in their horticultural enterprises. To achieve this outcome we ensure that our training program carry a high degree of applied technical knowledge and skills.


Course delivery:

This course will be offered during 2008 between 4pm and 9pm at our city campus located at level 7/55 Swanson St Melbourne on Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing August 5th, 2008. Time will be allowed for an evening meal break. Units will be delivered sequentially over a 26 week period.
Classes will be limited to 20 students with computer lab facilities available.

Assessments

Will mainly take the form of industry project work and report writing.