Certificate in horticulture

By MARK STORY

The course

The NZQA-recognised certificate in horticulture is part of MIT's practical outdoor programme for people wanting to work in the horticultural industry.

As well as providing the theory, this one-year, fulltime programme equips students with the practical skills they need to grow and maintain horticultural crops and display gardens.

David Puflett, head of the school of horticulture, says students gain an insight into the opportunities available in the industry and the skills and knowledge necessary to establish their own business.

As well as the MIT's certificate, students also complete national certificates in horticulture Level 4, amenity horticulture and nursery production, first aid standard certificate, and an introductory growsafe certificate.

Successful students who wish to train further in arboriculture (trees and shrubs) may be able to enrol in the second year at Wintec, Hamilton.

During the 38-week programme, students complete courses on horticultural machinery and safety, nursery production, plant protection, amenity horticulture, botany for gardeners, soils and fertilisers and horticultural growing systems.

Course content includes everything from plant science, soil and fertilisers, plant propagation, applying agrichemicals through to maintaining a horticultural diary, introduction to landscape design, organics and permaculture and hydroponics.

The emphasis is on practical training, with 60 per cent of the programme spent outside learning horticultural-related skills. Students attend field trips to horticultural industries within the Auckland area.

Practical projects include growing a crop of hydroponic tomatoes, establishing turf culture plots, producing a formal bedding plant display, maintaining a herb garden and cut-flower production.

Students also propagate and grow a range of trees, shrubs, perennials and seedlings to saleable grades - which are sold at MIT's nursery at north campus.

With emphasis on gaining experience in the horticultural industry, students spend 30 days on various properties gaining insight into horticultural crop management and growing practices, says Puflett.

Classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4.30pm. Tutorials, on Fridays from 10.30am to noon, give students an opportunity to liaise with lecturers on homework assignments.

There are no formal examinations, but students must meet necessary standards for practical and theoretical assessments. Students under 20 must have completed three years of secondary school, and those for whom English is a second language must have an IELTS level of 5.5.

All students must be physically fit.

There are two intakes a year in February and July for a maximum 60 places on the programme.

Applications for the February 2004 programme (which cost $3890 this year) are now being received.

What past students think

Robyn O'Malley

33, landscape gardener

Caprice Landscaping

Eastern suburbs, Auckland

Graduated 2001

"As a solo mum who hadn't studied for many years, I initially didn't believe I could do this course. But it confirmed to me that this is what I should be doing with my life.

"In addition to opening up the right career for me, it has also convinced me I can do anything I put my mind to. After the certificate in horticulture, I went on to complete a certificate in landscaping the following year.

"Both courses have groomed me to establish my own landscape garden designer business when family commitments allow."

What employers think

Peter Robertson

Owner, Caprice Landscaping

Eastern suburbs, Auckland

"Having worked alongside Robyn on the same courses, I had no qualms about hiring her when I started my own landscaping business last year.

"Between us - myself, Robyn and another fellow graduate - we're doing everything we were taught to do on the courses, from pruning and concreting through to building retaining walls.

"Robyn's an awesome worker, I only have to tell her once what's required and she's away. I'd like her to work for me fulltime when her family commitments permit. It's very gratifying to watch someone blossom through knowledge and experience."


The qualification

Certificate in horticulture

Manukau Institute of Technology - school of horticulture

Phone: (0800) 62 62 52

Email: horticulture@manukau.ac.nz