Production Horticulture Courses Available We are currently offering three National Certificates in Horticulture in the Production Horticulture area. Introductory (Level 2) Production Horticulture (Level 4) Production Horticulture (Advanced) (Level 4) We are now also offering the National Certificate in Horticulture - Postharvest at both Level 4 and (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 - Introductory (Level 2) - one year - 70 credits
National Certificates in Horticulture - Production Horticulture (Level 4) - two years - 140 credits
National Certificates in Horticulture - Production Horticulture (Advanced) (Level 4) - three years - 210 credits

Like all our Modern apprenticeship 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 Certificates in Horticulture (Amenity Horticulture) (Advanced) (Level 4) qualification.

However don't forget that training with the NZHITO is self-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 when we cover 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.

Industry Support

Given the diverse nature of production there are several organizations that represent this area on the NZHITO board of directors these being: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand, Florists New Zealand Incorporated (FLONZI) and Horticulture NZ. Vegfed formerly represented the vegetable sector, however the NZHITO board representative for the fruit sector now comes from Horticulture NZ. The organisation that is Horticulture NZ, was formed when the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation and Vegfed combined in 2005.

Horticulture New Zealand (Hort NZ)

PO 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

PO 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