Production Horticulture

Production Horticulture Courses Available

We are currently offering five National Certificates in Horticulture in the Production Horticulture area:

National Certificate in Horticulture (Practical) (Level 1)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) (Level 2)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) 
National Certificate in Horticulture (Level 4) optional strand in Postharvest
National Certificate in Horticulture (Production Horticulture) or (Postharvest) (Advanced) (Level 4) 

Dates

Training is designed to occur while you are in employment, so you can start training with the NZHITO anytime during the year.

Duration

National Certificates in Horticulture:

Level 1 - 40 credits - 6 months
Level 2 - 70 credits -1 year
Level 3 - 105 credits - 18 months
Level 4 (optional strand in Postharvest) - 140 credits - 2 years
Level 4 (Advanced) - 210 credits - 3 years

The Production Horticulture apprenticeship is designed to take three years to complete, so if you become a modern apprentice you will be working towards the National Certificate in Horticulture (Production Horticulture) or (Postharvest) (Advanced) (Level 4) qualification.
However don't forget that training with the NZHITO is self-paced and competency paced, so the harder you work at your qualification the quicker you can complete it.

Location

The majority of your training will take place in your place of work, however it maybe necessary for you to attend some training away from your workplace for specialist areas of study.

Entry Criteria

You need be employed within the horticulture industry and have a desire to learn.
If you don't yet have a job in horticulture your locally based NZHITO representative may be able to help you find one.

Course content

The type of production horticulture enterprise you work for will play a strong role in determining what your course content will be made up of, common topics include: plant structure and functions; plant identification; plant nomenclature; planting; plant care and maintenance; pollination; harvesting; packaging; irrigation; agrichemicals; small tools and machinery; specialist tools and machinery; soils and fertilisers; frost damage and prevention; greenhouse production; hydroponic production; open field production; seedbeds and mulches; rootstock requirements; packhouse skills; organic practices; quality control; shelter; supervision skills in various areas.

How to get into apprenticeships and training

For more information on how to get into an apprenticeship or training in the vegetable sector please contact the NZHITO click here for the contact in your region.

Industry Support

Given the diverse nature of production the following organisations represent this area on the NZHITO board of directors, these being: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand, Florists New Zealand Incorporated (FLONZI) and Horticulture NZ. 

Horticulture New Zealand (Hort NZ)

P O Box 10232,
Wellington

Phone: (04) 472 3795
Fax: (04) 471 2861
Email: info@hortnz.co.nz
Website: www.hortnz.co.nz

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand

P O Box 1926,
Wellington, 6140

Florists New Zealand Incorporated (FLONZI)

3/142 Rugby Street,
Christchurch

Phone: (03) 355 4426
Fax: (03) 355 4428
Email: joyhito@xtra.co.nz