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- Location
Dunedin
- Duration
- One year full-time (on campus) or two to three years part-time (industry-based)
- Delivery
On campus full-time with a minimum four weeks of work placement OR if industry-based, part-time delivery is in your workplace, with block courses and online learning
- Credits
- 130
- Level
- 4
- Start
- February 2022 (on campus)
Anytime (industry-based)
- Apply
- January 2022 (on campus); anytime (industry-based)
-
LocationIntakeStudy breaks
-
Dunedin1 February 2021
Want to improve your amenity horticulture skills?
This New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) (Amenity) is ideal for those who want to build on their Level 3 Amenity Horticulture learning or for those who are working in the amenity sector, have existing experience and want to gain a relevant qualification and increase their supervisory skills.
This programme sits within a progressive training pathway that is industry-recognised. You will learn new skills through a combination of practical, online learning block courses and those studying full-time on campus will undertake a minimum four weeks of work placement. That, along with hands-on learning within our specialist facilities, will enable you to build the practical knowledge and experience you need to hit the ground running.
Graduates will be capable of providing day-to-day supervision and will be able to contribute to more effective and efficient operations. Career opportunities include an amenity gardener, collection curator, grounds person or amenity horticulture.
Skills required
- An enjoyment of working outdoors
- Physical fitness
- Planning and organisational skills
- Good communication and the ability to work in a team
- An eye for detail
- Strong work ethic
Entry requirements
- Open entry.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Please note: This programme is not available for international students.
Selection process
Applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis until the programme has reached full capacity.
Additional costs
You are required to buy some items of personal protective equipment, personal stationery and textbooks. Please note that many suppliers offer student discounts once you have enrolled and it is preferred that you wait until the first week of your programme before purchasing these items.
All costs below are approximate only.
- Steel toecap boots ($100 - $200)
- Secateurs ($40 - $120)
- Gloves ($15 - $25)
- Class 5 earmuffs ($40 - $50)
- Safety glasses ($15 - $25)
- Camera ($100 - $200)
- Printing and photo printing ($30)
- Textbooks ($200)
- Stationery ($25)
Financial assistance is available through StudyLink under course-related costs for full-time learners. Please see the Student Loans and Allowances section for more information.
Part-time learners generally aren't eligible for Studylink financial help but some support may be available depending on your circumstances. See studying part-time page on the Studylink website.
You will study
Supervisory Skills in Horticulture (10 credits)
Learn how to use interpersonal communication skills to achieve desired outcomes in horticulture.
Indicative content
- Supervisor responsibilities
- Instructing team members
- Allocation of work within teams
- Giving and receiving feedback
Management of Amenity Areas (20 credits)
Learn how to manage the maintenance and aesthetic effect of plants, parks and open spaces within the concept of Maramataka.
Indicative content
- Maramataka
- Seasonal horticulture tasks
- Turf establishment and care
Amenity Pruning (10 credits)
Learn how to apply pruning techniques in amenity horticulture.
Indicative content
- Plant growth characteristics
- Plant responses to pruning
- Seasonal pruning
Applied Plant and Soil Science (15 credits)
Learn how to apply knowledge of plant and soil science to achieve management plan goals within the concept of Ahi Kaa.
Indicative content
- Ahi Kaa
- Properties and processes of soil
- Plant structures and processes
- Sustainable soil and plant management
Plant Identification and Naming (15 credits)
Learn to identify plants and apply plant nomenclature.
Indicative content
- Botanical nomenclature
- Plant identification
- Plant classification system
Plant Selection and Displays (10 credits)
Learn to select amenity plants to achieve functional and aesthetic effects
Indicative content
- Plant identification
- Plant selection
- Principles and elements of design
- Displaying plants
Propagation (10 credits)
Learn to propagate and grow amenity plants
Indicative content
- Propagation techniques
- Growing media
- Plant care
- Propagation records
Amenity Planting (10 credits)
Learn to carry out planting to achieve management plan goals
Indicative content
- Planting preparation
- Planting techniques
- Plant establishment
Pests, Diseases and Weeds (15 credits)
Learn to identify and describe plant health problems and control options
Indicative content
- Pest, disease, disorder and weed identification
- Plant health control options
- Integrated pest management plan
Asset Management (15 credits)
Learn to carry out inspections of assets and monitor maintenance schedules
Indicative content
- Asset monitoring and assessment
- Asset records
- Identification of work standards
Work placement
Full-time
Full-time learners will complete a minimum of four weeks’ work placement within the amenity sector.
You will be placed with an employer/host in industry, within Dunedin, and our horticulture staff will visit you at your worksite. Our staff will also be available by phone for students or employers to contact them. Employers/industry hosts will provide feedback to you.
Part-time
Part-time learners who are already industry-based may be assessed on-the-job by our horticulture staff and/or in partnership with their employer.
Your workload
Full-time
On average you will undertake four days a week of practical instruction and theory teaching. In addition to this, you will carry out your own self-directed study. It is expected that you will participate in a minimum four weeks of work placement during your programme.
Further study options
If you want to progress your learning, you could study the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) in a different strand/horticulture sector or the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 5) (Amenity).
Paying for your study
TTAF
The Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) is currently running but will end in December 2022. That means only your 2022 study will be covered. You may be able to get some financial help for your remaining study through the Fees Free scheme if you’re eligible (see info below).
Whilst this programme is free for you to study during 2022, the TTAF fund only covers tuition fees and compulsory costs such as student levies. It does not cover any additional costs or living costs.
Full-time learners
You can pay for additional and living costs by yourself if that is possible or by applying for a loan or allowance through Studylink (which is only available for domestic learners).
It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.
For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website.
Part-time learners
You can pay for additional and living costs yourself if this is possible.
As a part-time learner, you're generally not eligible for student loans and allowances through Studylink but some help may be possible depending on your circumstances (for domestic students). Check the Studylink website for more information.
Fees Free
The Government is also running a funding scheme called Fees Free for domestic learners. This scheme normally pays for your first year of study if you’ve never been enrolled in tertiary study over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher in New Zealand. They have confirmed that TTAF does not impact on a learner’s entitlement to also access the Fees Free scheme.
So, you’ll be covered by TTAF for your 2022 study and, if you would have originally been eligible for Fees Free, you’ll be able to access that to cover some of your remaining study.
You can check your Fees Free eligibility here >
Fees Free only covers your tuition fees. You would still need to pay for things like accommodation, living costs and placement transport costs. And the same full-time learner/part-time learner information would apply to Studylink financial support as was mentioned above.
If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz