Production Horticulture

The advantage of studying Horticulture at Swan Hill International College is the opportunity for students to be in Swan Hill, a premier stone fruit growing area in Australia. Around Swan Hill the production of stone fruit, citrus, vegetables, grapes, almonds and other broad acre crops provide students with a wide variety of horticultural experiences.

The Diploma of Production Horticulture, like many other nationally recognised vocational courses, is based on competency standards developed by the horticultural industry. Students will be assessed in a classroom setting as well as on Swan Hill International College’s horticultural properties. The assessment will be conducted by one of our qualified trainers. To be passed as competent for the practical component, the student must have an understanding of the supporting knowledge and skill learned in the classroom, and be able to apply this in a practical setting.

All levels of operation within the horticulture industry require skilled people. Our students undertaking the Diploma of Production Horticulture qualification will be expected to:
• Attend classroom lessons to learn the underlying knowledge and skills.
• Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management situations.
• Transfer and apply classroom concepts and technical or creative skills to a range of situations whilst on practical training.
• Evaluate information, using it in forecasting for planning or research purposes.
• Lead and manage small teams and be responsible for their outcomes.

The integrated qualification involves satisfactory completion of all required units of competency. These units cover the key skills needed in Horticulture. On the successful completion of these units students will have completed the necessary requirements for Certificate III in Production Horticulture, Certificate IV in Production Horticulture and Diploma of Production Horticulture.

Course Structure

The course duration is 12 months for Certificate III in Production Horticulture, 6 months for Certificate IV in Production Horticulture and 6 months for Diploma of Production Horticulture, or four semesters, on a full time basis of 20 hours per week. Semester breaks provide plenty of opportunities for our students to gain additional work in the horticultural industry. We, however, do recognise previous training and credit transfers may reduce course time.

For each Unit of Competency students must demonstrate success in written tests, assignments, class presentations and learner guide.

Delivery strategy is two and a half days in the classroom and on Swan Hill Internationals College’s horticultural property. Training may be modified by the college from time to time, depending on training needs.

Certificate III in Production Horticulture (056857K)

Covers all aspects of work on a horticultural property. This is the trade certificate that demonstrates that a worker has the skills to perform all horticultural tasks to a high level.

Certificate IV in Production Horticulture (056858J)

This is the supervisors level. It covers all supervising tasks that a worker maybe required to perform. This qualification would be required by managers and supervisors.

Diploma of Production Horticulture (056859G)

This qualification is for advanced technical and management skills. It demonstrates the ability to develop policies and underlying procedures that all horticultural tasks rely on. This qualification would be required by a senior management.