Agricultural & Horticulture - Horticulturalist - Apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship in horticulture is for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in the horticultural sector or existing personnel employed in a horticultural facility that would like to gain a recognised qualification.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
2 years
Off-the-job training will take place in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin or other Teagasc locations. Face to face teaching is supported by
online learning and visits to industry / horticultural research locations. . Off-the-job training will be a total of 10 weeks per year.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must:
• Be employed full time by a ‘SOLAS approved employer’ in a Sportsturf setting
• Successfully completed the Leaving Certificate (NFQ Level 5*) with 5 subjects with a minimum of O6 / H7 to include English or higher and a minimum of foundation mathematics F6.
or
• A Major QQI level 5 (or higher) Award In Horticulture
or
• A candidate 17 years or older who does not hold the above Level 5 qualifications as set out above, but who has a minimum of 48 weeks cumulative experience working in horticulture, is recommended by their employer and demonstrates the stated literacy and numeracy skills, will also be eligible to apply.
NOTE - The English language entry requirements for the programme are CEF B2+ or equivalent.
Candidates with English language levels below CEF B2+ must first reach this minimum standard before enrolling on the academic programme.
Applicants may be required to demonstrate that they possess the required competency through the completion of a maths assessment
Careers / Further progression
On successful completion, the apprentice will be fully competent in the role of a Horticulturist.
Eligible to apply for Advanced Entry on to the Level 7 Bachelor of Horticulture at SETU Waterford.
Further information
As part of this programme, apprentices will engage in on-the-job training with a SOLAS approved employer. Off-the-job training will take place in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin or other Teagasc locations. Face to face teaching is supported by online learning and visits to industry / Horticultural research locations. Off-the-Job College Coordination Location: • Teagasc, Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin Dublin D09 VY63.
The cost of the apprenticeship is €1,375 per year of the programme. Associated costs such as travel and accommodation for the off-the-job block release is extra.
The employer pays the Apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship including time spent off the job in college. The rate of pay is agreed between the Employer and the Apprentice.
Up to date information on programme fees is available on the Teagasc website.
How do I join this apprenticeship?
You need to be working for a registered employer within the sportsturf sector. Employees can then submit an application to join an apprentice
programme.
This apprenticeship is managed by Teagasc Kildalton College. If you are interested in the sportsturf management apprenticeship you should make contact with Teagasc Kildalton College via the contact details below.
Application Process:
Step 1 Applicants must be directly employed by a SOLAS approved Employer based on your choice of stream.
Step 2 The approved SOLAS Employer will start the registration process with SOLAS (The Further Education & Training Authority)
Step 3 Applicants application will be assessed by Teagasc in consultation with SOLAS.
Step 4 If successful, applicant will be registered as an apprentice both with SOLAS and Teagasc.
Step 5 Apprentice will be called for induction training and off-the-job learning block released.
Note Applicants may be called for an interview to discuss entry requirements and learner support requirements.
Programme
This is a two-year programme developed in consultation with industry. You can choose to work in one of six specialist streams:
• Nurseries
• Garden Centres
• Garden And Parks
• Fruit Production
• Vegetable Production
• Hard Landscaping
The apprentice must stay in their chosen stream for the duration of the programme.
As part of this programme, apprentices will engage in on-the-job training with a SOLAS approved employer. Off-the-job training will take place in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin or other Teagasc locations. Face to face teaching is supported by online learning and visits to industry / horticultural research locations. Off-the-job training will be a total of 10 weeks per year.
Why you should consider doing this apprenticeship?
While undertaking this programme you will:
• Receive an internationally recognised qualification (QQI Level 6 Higher Certificate)
• Gain hands-on practical experience working on a commercial horticultural units
• Learn to work as part of a team
• Achieve Professional User (PU) certification (DAFM)
• Be eligible to apply for Advanced Entry on to the Level 7 Bachelor of Horticulture at SETU
• Train for a career in Horticulture
• Earn a salary while you learn
Employers are required to:
• Be a SOLAS approved employer
• Nominate a workplace mentor
• Release the apprentice for the ‘off-the-job’ block release days
• Pay the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship
Overview of Programme Modules
Year 1 / Stage 1 common modules for all six streams:
• Growing media and plant nutrition
• Plant science
• Plant propagation
• Sustainable plant protection
• Plant ID
• Sustainable IT skills
• Horticultural machinery and health and safety
Year 2 / Stage 2 common modules for all six streams:
• Financial management for horticulture
• Sustainable horticultural practice
Modules for specialist streams:
Nurseries:
• Customer service for horticulture
• Nursery stock production
Garden Centre:
• Customer service for horticulture
• Garden centre management
Garden and Parks:
• Advanced plant identification and cultivation techniques
• Garden and parks management
Fruit Production:
• Fruit Production
Vegetable:
• Vegetable production
Hard Landscaping:
• Advanced plant identification and cultivation techniques
• Hard landscaping
Qualifications
On completion of the programme, the Apprentice will hold a nationally recognised QQI Higher Certificate as a Horticulturist (NFQ Level 6) -
Horticulture 6M22167
Contact:
Marcella Phelan
National Apprenticeship Programme Co-ordinator,
Curriculum Development and Standards Unit
Teagasc Kildalton, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
Phone: 0516 44508
email: marcella.phelan@teagasc.ie
www.teagasc.ie/education
www.apprenticeship.ie
John Mulhern
College Principal,
College of Horticulture Teagasc - National Botanic
Gardens, Glasnevin, D09 VY63
Phone: 01 8040205
email: john.mulhern@teagasc.ie