Course Description
Career Opportunities
Course Duration
Course Commencement Dates
Entrance Requirements
Application Procedures
Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers
Pathways to Further Study
Course Outline
Assessment Methods
Materials
Qualification

Course Location and Contact Information

Course Description

This course has been developed to address the higher level technical skills in horticulture, particularly those associated with "plantsmanship" and sustainable practices in the horticultural industry.

This course caters for those people who have previously attained a qualification in horticulture and who wish to further their skills and knowledge, as well as those who wish to pursue a career in the industry.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this diploma provides career opportunities in a broad range of horticultural enterprises and disciplines. These include:

• maintenance and management of private and public gardens and parks
• maintenance and management of heritage gardens
• the design and implementation of garden designs
• project management
• maintenance and management of nurseries
• managing a horticultural enterprise.

Course Duration

Full-time: Two years
(Units from this course may be offered for part-time students.)

Course Commencement Dates

July 2007

Entrance Requirements

This course is open to practising horticulturists and new people to the industry.

Application Procedure

Apply directly to the Horticulture Department.

Skills Recognition - Exemptions/Transfers

Students enrolling in this course 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 understanding of the unit from their work then they may discuss the possibility of that unit being assessed at their workplace. Students are eligible for Skills Recognition.

Pathways to Further Study

These qualifications may lead to further study in horticulture at tertiary institutes.

Course Outline

To be awarded the qualification, Diploma of Ornamental Horticulture, participants are required to successfully complete 14 units of competency of which eight are core units and six are electives.

Sample course:

Core Competencies -

VBQU208 Work proficiently in the horticulture industry.
VBQU209 Apply botanical principals to plant classification.
VBQU210 Apply plant physiology to horticulture.
VBQU211 Identify and select plants.
VBQU212 Manage sustainable horticultural practices.
RTF4023A Promote plant health.
RTF5013A Manage plant cultural practices.
RTF5521A Monitor and manage soils.

Elective Competencies -

VBQU213 Develop and implement a pruning program.
VBQU214 Develop and implement a propagation program.
VBQU215 Manage the care and maintenance of trees.
VBQU216 Conserve and maintain heritage landscapes.
VBQU217 Plan, establish and maintain lawns and lawn alternatives.
RTC4908A Supervise work routines and staff performance.
RTC5914A Prepare reports.
VBN194 Prepare a garden design and maintenance program.

* To complete the Diploma of Ornamental Horticulture the participant must provide evidence of industry experience as stated in VBQU208 - Work proficiently in the horticultural industry.

Assessment Methods

This a competency based course where assessment is based on a student's ability to achieve unit outcomes. Assessment methods include:

• Tests and assignments
• Reports
• Folios
• Verbal presentations
• Demonstration of skills
• Industry experience

Materials

A list of equipment and reference material that needs to be purchased by students will be distributed early in the course. Reference material is also available for student loan in the NMIT library.

Qualification

This course is accredited under the Victorian Qualifications Authority Act 2000 and has been entered on the State Register of Accredited Courses and Recognised Qualifications. On successful completion students will be awarded the Diploma of Ornamental Horticulture.

Links

The Victorian Government makes a significant contribution to these programs.