If you enjoy working outdoors, a career in horticulture could be a great choice for you. Whether you’re just getting started in the industry or wanting to advance your skills, a course in this area can lead to many job opportunities. You might work as a gardener or landscaper or be employed in a nursery or in parks and gardens. You could also specialise your skills in areas such as irrigation, agriculture or land management. If you’re not sure which qualification would be best for you, here are some of the most popular choices for further study in horticulture:
Certificate II in Horticulture
A Certificate II in Horticulture is a great way to get started in a career in the horticultural industry. You’ll develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as recognising plants, treating weeds, testing plants and soil for diseases and growing trees and shrubs. The Certificate II in Horticulture will prepare you for roles such as garden labourer, landscape labourer, nursery hand and nurseryperson.
Certificate III in Horticulture
The Certificate III in Horticulture
can further develop your skills in horticulture, with topics including weed control, soil improvement, pressurised irrigation systems, amenity pruning and chemical application. You’ll also learn about plant identification and creating and maintaining plant displays. This course may lead to positions including garden labourer, landscape labourer, nursery hand and nurseryperson.
Certificate III in Landscape Construction
If you’re planning to work in landscape gardening, consider enrolling in a Certificate III in Landscape Construction. This course covers topics including soil improvements, plant establishment, paving, retaining walls and water features. You’ll develop the skills to set out a site for construction works and construct landscape features using concrete, stone, metal and timber. You may take on roles such as garden designer or landscaper.
Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
A Certificate III in Parks and Gardens can lead to rewarding careers in roles such as gardener, landscape labourer, nursery hand or nurseryperson. This course explores subjects like plant nutrition and culture, weed control, pest and disease management and chemical use and storage. You’ll be able to specialise in an area that suits your career plans such as turf management, landscaping, parks and gardens or greenkeeping.
Certificate IV in Horticulture
The Certificate IV in Horticulture is a great qualification for anyone planning to take on a senior role in gardening or landscaping or who wants to manage their own horticultural business. You might work in roles such as head gardener, horticulturalist, irrigation specialist, irrigation technician or park manager. This course will advance your knowledge of plant establishment, soil health and revegetation and give you the skills to cost out projects, work within a budget and minimise the use of chemicals.
Diploma of Horticulture
If you want to further your career in this field, a Diploma of Horticulture can develop your skills in leadership and business administration. As well as learning to create a horticultural production plan and develop a hydroponic system, this course will also give you skills in managing staff, marketing and preparing financial reports. You might be employed as a gardener, head gardener, horticulturalist, irrigation specialist, irrigation technician or park manager.
Advanced Diploma of Horticulture
The Advanced Diploma of Horticulture is the qualification you need to advance your management and leadership skills in the horticultural industry. You’ll develop your knowledge of business administration and be able to specialise in areas such as business analysis, strategic planning and managing climate risk. You may take on roles such as agricultural manager, landscape manager or nursery manager.
Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
An Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Land Management is an excellent way to develop your business and administration skills in the agricultural or landcare fields. You may work as a conservation manager, environmental consultant, environmental officer, land manager or park ranger. This course will give you the skills to coordinate the development of a regional plan and develop workplace policies and procedures for sustainability.