Certificate IV in Horticulture (Arboriculture)

Course Location and Contact Information

Course Description

This course provides practical training in the skills and knowledge essential for:

• Maintenance and management of trees
• Tree climbing and access
• Tree pruning and dismantling
• Transplanting of trees
• Assessment of tree health
• Provision of advice on trees.

The training provides a strong focus on the development of practical skills. To this end many tree work projects are carried out.

Students at NMIT's Fairfield campus will be trained in a purpose-built arboriculture facility. NMIT's arboriculture equipment includes a travel tower, stump grinders and full complement of climbing equipment for each participant. Arboriculture equipment is stored in specially constructed trailers allowing equipment to be easily taken to any site where tree work training is to take place. In addition there is a plant identification laboratory, a PC laboratory, a soils laboratory plant tissue culture and a well-resourced library.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this course may gain employment as a qualified supervising Arborist in the tree maintenance industry.
This could be with local government authorities or tree maintenance contractors providing service to government authorities and/or the private sector.

Course Duration

The course is offered on a part time basis of one day per week for a period of two and a half years. Study may be undertaken during the day or the evening depending on how the program is structured.

Course Commencement Dates

Courses commence in February and July.

Entrance Requirements

A demonstrated interest and experience in arboriculture. Prospective students will be interviewed to establish if this course is suited to their needs.

Application Procedure

Apply directly to the Horticulture Department

Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers

Students enrolling in these courses who have completed studies at other institutions should discuss the possibility of being exempted from related units in this course. If a student can demonstrate a full practical and theoretical of the unit from their work then they may discuss the option of being assessed for this in their workplace. Students are eligible for Skills Recognition.

Pathways to Further Study

This qualification may lead to further study in the Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture) or other streams.

Course Outline

The Arboriculture stream of the Certificate IV in Horticulture requires successful completion of 12 units of competency selected from the Horticultural Training Package.

NMIT, in consultation with industry, has constructed courses that satisfy these packaging rules and are tailored to the requirements of industry.

Certificate IV in Horticulture (Arboriculture)

RTF4006A Plan a tree pruning program
RTC4024A Recommend plants & cultural practices
RTF4017A Plan a tree transplanting program
RTF4019A Prepare & implement plans to minimise tree stress
RTC4703A Plan & implement a chemical use program
RTF4016A Plan a tree protection program
RTF4023A Promote plant health
RTC4905A Cost a project
RTF4021A Plan the removal of trees
BSBCMN 405A Analyse & present research information
RTF5018A Assess trees
RTF3031A Undertake complex tree climbing
RTF3702A Undertake aerial rescue
RTC3704A Prepare & apply chemicals
RTC3705A Transport, handle and store chemicals

Assessment Methods

Competency based course assessment is based on students' abilities to achieve unit outcomes. There is the opportunity for workplace delivery and assessment of competencies.

Assessment methods include:

• Demonstration of skills
• Tests and assignments
• Folios
• Oral activities
• Third party reports.

At the commencement of each unit students will be given an outline of what is to be covered in that unit and how the unit will be assessed.

Materials

All students will need to provide their own Personal Protective Equipment, as per the Student Code of Conduct.

Minimum requirement is: protective footwear and protective eyewear.

Qualification

As part of the Australian Qualifications Framework this program is nationally recognised. On successful completion students will be awarded the Certificate IV in Horticulture (Arboriculture).

Links

The Victorian Government makes a significant contribution to these programs.