• You want a hands-on and practical career in the Production Horticulture sector.
• You enjoy being outside producing fresh produce to feed people or growing flowers, watching them flourish to provide joy.
• You are passionate about Sustainable Food Production, Food Security, Human Nutrition, Innovation and Technology to produce food and want a job where each day and season offers something different.

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 Production Horticulture Industry.
• Enjoy practical / manual work.
• Enjoy nature and outdoors.
• Able to work independently as well as within a team.
• Demonstrate the ability to cope with varied weather conditions outdoor (e.g., heat, rain, cold, wind).
• Show the ability to cope with nature (e.g., flies, insects, spiders).
• Demonstrated high stamina and fitness levels.
• Have problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate an aptitude for detail and good hand-eye coordination.
• Show ability to accurately follow plans and instructions and work to deadlines.
• Able 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.

This course will provide the general skills and knowledge for job roles in the production horticulture (fruits, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms, truffles, herbs, spices) and floriculture industry including Farm Worker, Leading Hand or Assistant Manager.

You will develop essential skills including how to carry out Work Health and Safety policies to comply with workplace procedures, the importance of quality assurance, how to apply biosecurity measures, coordinate horticultural crop harvesting, and safely prepare and apply chemicals for pest, weed and disease control.

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.
  • Comply with industry quality assurance requirements.
  • Apply biosecurity measures.
  • Operate machinery and equipment.
  • Operate pressurised irrigation systems.
  • Transport and store chemicals.
  • Prepare and apply chemicals to control weeds, plant pests, diseases and disorders.
  • Troubleshoot irrigation systems.
  • Implement a plant nutrition, crop regulation and post-harvest program.
  • Establish horticultural crops and coordinate crop harvesting.
  • Monitor weather conditions.
• Technology - Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.