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

National Code: RTF30803

Course Location and Contact Information

Course Description

The Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf) provides training in the skills for establishment and maintenance of recreational and other turf surfaces. Underpinning these skills will be a sound knowledge in pest and disease management, irrigation and drainage and management of sport turf facilities.

There is a strong emphasis on the development of practical skills. Practical classes are conducted at the nearby Riverside Golf and Tennis Centre and the Altona Lakes Golf Course where NMIT holds the maintenance contracts.

Students at NMIT's Fairfield campus will have access to a plant identification laboratory, irrigation training facilities, soils laboratory, and computer laboratory with the latest versions of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software.

Career Opportunities

As graduates from these courses will already be employed in the turf management industry, successful completion of these courses will allow for movement within the turf industry and work in a range of opportunities such as establishment and maintenance of recreational turf, preparation of sports playing surfaces, management of recreational and sports turf facilities, provision of advice on turf irrigation, pest and disease control and management practices.

Course Duration

Australian Apprentices

The Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf) is offered as a three year training program where training may take place as either one day per week or as blocks of five days of training.

Course Commencement Dates

Courses commence in February. Additional courses may commence in July if there is sufficient demand.

Entrance Requirements

To be eligible to enrol as an Australian Apprentice, participants must be employed in the turf industry and have a signed Training Agreement with the employer and NMIT. The course coordinator can provide advice on this process.

Students Other Than New Apprentices

The Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf), the Recreational Turf Management stream, is offered to participants who have a minimum of three years' work experience in the turf industry. Participants may achieve this qualification by attending evening classes, one day per week for one year. In addition participants will be assessed at their workplace for various practical skills and knowledge.

This course is also offered by flexible delivery.

To enter the Recreational Turf Management stream, participants must have had three years' employment in the turf industry.

Application Procedures

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 option of being assessed for units in their workplace. Students are eligible for Skills Recognition.

Pathways to Further Study

Successful completion of the Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf) will allow for entry into the Diploma of Horticulture (Turf).

Course Outline

The Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf) requires successful completion of 16 units of competency. Seven units are to be selected from Group A (with one designated compulsory unit), another six units from Group A and/or B, and an additional three units from Group A, B and/or C. Group C units may be selected from other Training Packages or they may be from the Amenity Horticulture Training Package from level 2, 3, or 4. At least 12 of the units of competency presented must relate to turf management work procedures, activities or contexts.

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

The course will be selected from the following units:

Group A

RTC3310A Operate specialised machinery and equipment
RTC3401A Control weeds
RTC3404A Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
RTE3713A Carry out workplace OH&S procedures*
RTE3714A Maintain and monitor environmental work practices
RTF3010A Establish turf
RTF3027A Renovate sports turf
RTF3503A Sample soils and analyse results

Group B

BSBEBUS302A Use and maintain electronic mail system
RTC3016A Provide information on plants and their culture
RTC3704A Prepare and apply chemicals
RTC3705A Transport, handle and store chemicals
RTE3307A Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair
RTE3601A Install irrigation systems
RTE3603A Install drainage systems
RTE3605A Troubleshoot irrigation systems
RTE3611A Operate pressurised irrigation systems
RTE3612A Implement a maintenance program for an irrigation system
RTE3907A Use hand-held e-business tools
RTF3001A Construct turf playing surfaces
RTF3004A Implement a grassed area maintenance program
RTF3012A Implement a plant nutrition program

*Compulsory unit

Assessment Methods

This is a competency-based course where assessment is based on students' abilities to achieve unit outcomes. There is the opportunity for workplace delivery and assessment of competencies. Assessment methods include:

Materials

List of safety equipment and books that need to be purchased by students will be distributed to students early in the course.

Qualification

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

Links

The Victorian Government makes a significant contribution to these programs.