The National Certificate in Horticulture Level 4 is designed to provide students with an introduction to the horticulture industry. On completion of the course students will be able to undertake a range of horticultural tasks and be able to identify future opportunities to become involved in this exciting industry.

Course Structure

The course is studied full time for 42 weeks. This course covers six areas of Horticulture:

• Production Horticulture
• Nursery Production
• Amenity Horticulture
• Viticulture
• Vegetable Production
• Fruit Production

The course consists of 154 credits and involves students committing to 1540 hours of learning.

The learning is divided between practical, theory and self directed study activities. Recognition that this course has a strong practical emphasis is reflected in the hours allocated to Practical instruction. (60% of the Horticulture section is practical).

Students will undertake 24 hours of study per week. Approximately 60% of the week will be spent at our practical sites, the rest at our city campus locations.

The College will arrange work experience opportunities for all students so that they can become aware of future employers and opportunities for employment.


Course Overview

Production Horticulture:
Students will learn to identify a variety of plants, their structure and function. They will be using a system of naming that will allow them to correctly name plants. They will be familiar with naming plants from species to cultivars. Students will learn about the types of soils from sandy to clay and also soil structure, texture and common fertilizers used in production horticulture. Students will be aware of health and safety requirements. Students will plant vegetable crops by hand and then select and harvest crops. Students will learn the legal requirements affecting a horticultural business.

Nursery Production:
Students will learn about growing plants in a controlled environment such as greenhouse, tunnel house, containers and open ground. The students will study how to grow plants from seeds, cuttings, division and grafting and what sort of media is used. Students will produce a nursery crop. They will learn how to prune and train nursery plants.

Amenity Horticulture:
Students will gain knowledge and practical understanding of growing and maintaining plants in an amenity situation. (Range- Public parks and Gardens) Students will learn about weeds and their control and be able to identify pest’s diseases and disorders.

Viticulture (some of these tasks are a seasonal option):
Students will learn to plant and pick grapes form hand, learn about planting, pruning and training young plants. Most of this work will be done on practical New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (NZITO) approved work experience placements.

Vegetable Production
All unit standards are available as electives once NZHITO approved work experience placements are confirmed.Note: (All unit standards are currently under review with NZHITO)

Fruit Production
All unit standards are available as electives once NZHITO approved work experience placements are confirmed.

Course Entry & Language  Requirements

Entry is open to all students who have completed Year 12 ( or overseas equivalent) or reached the age
of 20 years.

Students who do not have English as a first language will need to show that they are capable of successfully completing the course by meeting at least one of the following entry conditions:

An IELTS score of 5.0 (General or Academic)
OR
Passed the Royal Business College English Test
OR
Completed a minimum of three months (FT) English Language Course at RBC or other English Language Institution

Course Certificates

All students who are enrolled and successfully complete the course will be eligible for the award of the National Certificate in Horticulture (Level 4) and or the National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) (Level 2) or both qualifications depending on the number of unit standards achieved during the year programme. You will need to gain 154 credits to get all two certificates.

Career & Further Opportunities

Graduates will gain Horticulture core skills and knowledge and be able to apply them across all sectors of the Horticulture Industry, enabling direct employment in the Horticulture industry. Graduates are also able to further their studies in Horticulture at University.

There are credit arrangements to Lincoln University for students to achieve Diploma and Degrees in Horticulture. Graduates will find employment in Garden Centres, Nurseries, Parks and Gardens. Positions include, Green keeper, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries inspectors and border control agents, Market gardener, Orchardist and many other opportunities exist.

Immigration

New Zealand is desperately short of people with Horticultural skills and graduates have excellent prospects for employment and New Zealand Permanent Residency.

If you wish to stay in New Zealand and get a job in the Horticultural industry, Royal Business College and NZITO will assist you to find employment. We have our own consultants available to assist you to get a job.

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