Plenty of horticulture jobs

Shelley Rose thinks horticulture offers young people a great career. Photo / File

The number of horticulture students at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has doubled over the past year and those who complete the course are almost guaranteed a job.

Horticulture group leader Shelley Rose said there was an abundance of horticulture jobs in New Zealand and some students had already been offered employment.

"It depends on how you want to look at that. You can always get a job at ground level because they always want entry-level people. But if you like the job and make it your career you can go wherever you want to go in horticulture.

"The industry is screaming out for middle management ... a lot of middle management up at that level is missing."

The level four fulltime certificate in horticulture was introduced at the polytechnic in 2010 and its popularity had continued to increase.

"In the first two years we had quite small numbers, but it's doubled and we are aiming to double that again next year."

The programme focussed on theory and practical aspects of industry and 20 students had stepped up after gaining their level-two qualification.

Each student was responsible for their own area of garden and contrary to popular belief it was a very science focussed career, Ms Rose said. "You do need to know that theory and science behind the plant. How it grows so you need to have an inquiring mind and excellent observation skills.

"A lot of people don't think horticulture involves that, but those are the key requirements to the job."

A key element to the success of the course was fantastic support from local businesses who offered students work experience, she said.

"For eight weeks of this semester students were rostered out for one day a week to nurseries, orchards, green house growers, flower producers and garden centres.

"We have a bank of people that support us and if they have work at that time then they will come into our roster system which is great."

Horticulture has been a lifetime career for Ms Rose after entering the industry at age 17.

"I love it and have worked in most regions around the country," she said.

"I have a background of the general amenity nursery, nursery production, fruit production and propagation. The other tutors have experience in retail and orchard management so we all come from industry, we were not teachers first so we bring a lot of experience with us.

"All of us want to give something back and support the industry by encouraging young people into it," she said.