• You want a hands-on and practical career in the Horticulture Sector.
• You enjoy being outside in nature, cultivating gardens and love seeing your work flourish. You are passionate about the environment, gardening, nurseries and landscape settings where each day and season offers something different.
• You enjoy working and contributing to a team and helping those less qualified.

Then this is the course for you.

To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must: 

• Have an interest in the Horticulture Industry.
• Enjoy of practical / manual work.
• Have an enjoyment of nature and outdoors.
• Show the ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Able to cope with varied weather conditions outdoor (e.g., heat, rain, cold, wind).
• Be able to cope with nature (e.g., flies, insects, spiders).
• Have above average stamina and fitness levels.
• Display problem solving skills.
• Demonstrate an eye for detail and good hand-eye coordination.
• Able to accurately follow plans and instructions, and work to deadlines.
• Show ability to follow Work Health and Safety procedures and respond to immediate safety risks.
• Show tolerance, patience and the willingness to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrate your ability to communicate with supervisors and report on activities

This course will provide you with general horticulture skills and techniques. You will learn to implement propagation plans, control weeds, pests and diseases, safely prepare store and apply chemicals, operate irrigation, plant identification and nutrition, and Workplace Health and Safety. It will set you up with a wide range of career and study paths across Horticulture. You may want to commence your own business or seek employment as a nursery hand within established horticultural businesses. You can also enter many related industries such as local councils, conservation and ecosystem management and landscaping companies.

Time Commitment – You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; and undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research and complete assessment requirements. 

Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:

• Respectful Communication - Interact with people from different backgrounds, share ideas effectively and build trust.
• Teamwork – Collaborate with others, show them respect, and be open to feedback.
• Problem Solving - There is always a solution. How do you respond to a challenge? If you spot a problem, we encourage you to ask questions, clarify as needed, and respond appropriately within your training.
• Initiative - Stay motivated, take proactive steps, and seek help when necessary.
• Planning - Manage time well. Knowing how to prioritise and completing your tasks efficiently are crucial for your success.
• Self-Management - Reflect on your performance. Reflection is a powerful tool for growth and success as a student at South Regional TAFE. Being a professional in the workplace can mean learning when to accept responsibility for your failures as often as your successes. This is how we learn!
• Learning – Recognise what your strengths already are. Then embrace all the new knowledge and experience from your South Regional TAFE journey to grow as a student. Some of the skills you will learn include:
  • Contribute to Workplace Health and Safety of self and others.
  • Apply environmentally sustainable work practices.
  • Operate machinery and equipment.
  • Operate pressurised irrigation systems.
  • Identify plant specimens and maintain plants.
  • Implement a propagation plan.
  • Control weeds, plant pests, diseases and disorders.
  • Transport and store chemicals.
  • Undertake amenity pruning.
  • Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas.
• Technology - Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.