CERTIFICATE III IN HORTICULTURE

OVERVIEW

Participants undertaking this course may include employees of Landscape Gardeners, Grounds person, Horticulture Tradesperson, Horticulture Worker, Gardens Supervisor, Retail Nursery Hand, Turf Tradesperson/Greenkeeper, Wholesale Nursery Supervisor or those wanting to gain employment in these areas. Participants undertaking the Certificate lll in Horticulture may seek employment in a diverse range of areas, as the skills and knowledge gained through this qualification apply in all horticultural industries and a wide range of employment situations, including landscape gardening, grounds keeping, retail and wholesale nurseries and more – even set up their own horticultural business.

DURATION

The training program is delivered over a period of 12 – 18 months

COST

$3,475 per participant – which includes all materials and mail-outs.

DELIVERY

Self-paced learning, with a focus on application of skills and knowledge in a real or simulated horticultural environment.

ORGANISATION

To achieve a Certificate III in Horticulture participants must complete successfully 16 units. The first 2 units on the list below are core units and are compulsory. Participants must choose a minimum of 8 units from the Group A elective units and can choose up to 14 from the Group A and Group B elective units. Participants may choose 11 units from the Group A and Group B electives and up to 3 units from AHC20410 Certificate II in Horticulture, AHC40410 and/or our own accredited course 30779QLD Certificate III in Orchid Growing.

We offer all units of competency in this qualification through self-paced learning. The training is structured to ensure that participants develop skills and knowledge which relate to real life work situations. Units of competency are delivered and assessed through clustering to ensure valuable and relevant learning and assessment.

UNIT OUTLINE

CORE UNITS

Unit 1: AHCOHS301A Contribute to OHS processes
1. Adapt OHS policies and procedures
2. Assist in workplace hazard identification and risk control
3. Observe safe practices during work operations
4. Participate in arrangements for maintaining health and safety of all people in the workplace

Unit 2: AHCWRK313A Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
1. Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage
2. Set targets for improvements
3. Implement performance improvement strategies
4. Monitor performance

ELECTIVE UNITS GROUP A

Unit 3: AHCPCM301A Implement a plant nutrition program
1. Prepare for implementation of the plant nutrition program
2. Monitor soil pH
3. Determine nutritional problems in plants
4. Prepare to use fertilisers
5. Prepare application equipment
6. Apply specific products at appropriate rates

Unit 4: AHCPCM302A Provide information on plants and their culture
1. Identify the issue
2. Decide on preferred solution
3. Provide the preferred solution

Unit 5: AHCPCM303A Identify plant specimens
1. Observe the plant specimen
2. Inspect plant morphological features
3. Determine status of health
4. Identify the specimen
5. Report on the process results

Unit 6: AHCPMG301A Control weeds
1. Assess weed infestation
2. Plan control measures
3. Implement control measures
4. Monitor control measures

Unit 7: AHCPMG302A Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
1. Assess pests and disease infestation
2. Plan the implementation of control measures
3. Implement control measures
4. Monitor control methods

Unit 8: AHCSOL301A Prepare growing media
1. Confirm specifications of growing media
2. Prepare and store growing media

Unit 9: AHCSOL302A Construct a soil profile
1. Survey the construction site
2. Prepare for construction work
3. Set out site for construction
4. Excavate the construction site
5. Install soil profile

Unit 10: AHCARB301A Implement a tree maintenance program
1. Contribute to a tree assessment
2. Prepare to undertake a treatment program
3. Undertake a treatment program
4. Complete treatment program activities

Unit 11: AHCARB303A Implement a tree pruning program
1. Prepare for tree pruning
2. Implement tree pruning
3. Assess pruning quality

Unit 12: AHCARB309A Implement a tree protection program
1. Determine the implementation requirements of the tree protection program
2. Make site preparations
3. Construct protective devices
4. Monitor protection program

Unit 13: AHCNSY301A Maintain nursery plants
1. Monitor and maintain the nursery environment
2. Determine daily water requirements
3. Promote plant growth by intervention

Unit 14: AHCNSY302A Receive and dispatch nursery products
1. Select product for an order
2. Maintain the stock inventory
3. Prepare for dispatch or delivery
4. Receive products

Unit 15: AHCNSY303A Install and maintain plant displays
1. Assess requirements for plantscaping
2. Install containerised and direct planted specimens
3. Maintain plants

Unit 16: AHCNSY304A Deliver and promote sales of plants
1. Prepare to provide marketing support
2. Deliver plants
3. Maintain off-site displays
4. Promote sales

Unit 17: AHCNSY305A Prepare specialised plants
1. Prepare to treat specialised plants
2. Implement treatments
3. Maintain aesthetic appearance of specialised plants

Unit 18: AHCNSY306A Implement a propagation plan
1. Prepare for propagation activities
2. Select propagation material
3. Prepare propagating media
4. Propagate plants
5. Complete propagation operations

Unit 19: AHCNSY307A Operate fertigation equipment
1. Prepare materials and equipment for operation
2. Operate the fertigation process
3. Shut down fertigation equipment

Unit 20: AHCPGD301A Implement a plant establishment program
1. Prepare to establish a planted area
2. Prepare the planting area
3. Undertake planting operation
4. Review the plant establishment works
5. Complete establishment works

Unit 21: AHCPGD302A Plan and maintain plant displays
1. Prepare plans for plant displays
2. Select plants
3. Place plants
4. Maintain plants

Unit 22: AHCTRF302A Establish turf
1. Sample soil for testing
2. Plant turf
3. Maintain newly established turf
4. Report and repair areas of damaged turf

ELECTIVE UNITS GROUP B

Unit 23: AHCBIO304A Carry out movement and security procedures
1. Prepare to carry out movement and security procedures
2. Apply movement and security procedures
3. Check and adjust movement and security procedures

Unit 24: AHCCHM303A Prepare and apply chemicals
1. Determine the need for chemical use
2. Prepare application/spray plan
3. Prepare chemical mixes
4. Calibrate application equipment
5. Apply chemicals
6. Clean up equipment and complete records

Unit 25: AHCCHM304A Transport, handle and store chemicals
1. Transport and handle chemicals and biological agents
2. Store chemicals in the workplace
3. Record storage details

Unit 26: AHCIRG302A Install irrigation systems
1. Organise resources for installation work
2. Set out and prepare site
3. Install irrigation components
4. Complete installation work
5. Commission irrigation system

Unit 27: AHCIRG305A Operate pressurised irrigation systems
1. Perform pre-start checks for pressurised irrigation system
2. Start up and inspect system
3. Shut down system based upon irrigation indicators

Unit 28: AHCWRK305A Coordinate work site activities
1. Prepare for work site activities
2. Organise resources
3. Coordinate and report on activities

AHC40410 CERTIFICATE IV IN HORTICULTURE

Unit 29: AHCPGD401A Design plant displays
1. Develop the design concept plan
2. Ensure compliance with the design plan

Unit 30: AHCPCM401A Recommend plants and cultural practices
1. Identify client preferences and requirements
2. Select plants to suit specific situations
3. Advise on plants for specific situation

Unit 31: AHCSOL401A Sample soils and interpret results
1. Prepare for soil sampling
2. Determine soil characteristics by performing soil sampling
3. Interpret results of soil analysis

30779QLD Certificate III in Orchid Growing

Unit 5 — OGUOC305A Prepare a design for orchids in the landscape
1. Develop a design brief
2. Undertake a site analysis
3. Develop a concept design
4. Produce a plan

Unit 6 — OGUOC308A Grow and care for orchids for pot plant sales
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to grow and care for orchids for sale to the pot
plant market. It requires a knowledge of the different genera of popular orchids, their cultural
requirements and flowering seasons.

Unit 7 — OGUOC309A Grow and care for orchids for cut flower production
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to select and cultivate orchids for cut flower
production, the harvesting of flowers and post harvest flower care. It requires a knowledge of
suitable genera for cut flower production, their cultural requirements and flowering seasons and the
best methods of harvesting and caring for harvested flowers.

Unit 8 — OGUOC306A Provide customer service and advice on orchids
1. Develop knowledge of orchids
2. Assist customer

Unit 9 — OGUOC307A Hybridising and care of orchid seedlings
This unit develops the skills and knowledge required to hybridise orchids, grow seedlings and care
for seedlings. The Elements are:
1. Hybridise orchids
2. Grow seedlings
3. Care for seedlings

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning is the process of formal recognition for skills and knowledge gained
through previous learning such as:

★ Life experiences
★ Previous formal learning
★ Employment
★ Recreational or personal interests

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning for part or all of your intended study, based on
your previous experiences and learning. For more information regarding RPL and how to apply,
please discuss this with your trainer.

Assessment methods

This course is competency based, meaning that assessment is based on the participant’s ability to
achieve outcomes.
Assessment is based on:

★ Demonstration of skills
★ Assignments
★ Questions
★ Third party reports
★ Work samples