Production Horticulture: Apprenticeship
Description
Horticulture Apprenticeship links learning and employment by providing apprentices the opportunity to further their education, while maintaining full-time employment in the horticulture industry. An apprenticeship is established when an employer and employee complete, sign and register an apprentice and sponsor registration form with the Industry Training Authority (ITA, www.itabc.ca). Apprentices may also apply to the ITA for work based training completed before the apprenticeship was established. Refer to http://www.itabc.ca/Page646.aspx for information. HortEducationBC, the horticulture industry training organization, (www.horteducationbc.com) will sponsor individuals for one year which allows them to gain credit for technical training completed within the year.
The apprentice must complete four technical training levels. During their apprenticeship, apprentices attend 6 week long technical training sessions for theoretical and practical instruction at the Langley Campus of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The first two levels or the program focus on fundamental horticulture skills and knowledge. Subjects relevant to landscape horticulture operations are the focus in Levels three and four. The curriculum used for technical training has been developed and approved by the horticulture industry.
The first two levels of the program include fundamental horticulture knowledge and skills. The instruction in levels three and four focuses on Production Horticulture. The curriculum used for technical training has been developed and approved by the horticulture industry. It provides relevant, up-to-date information, and is based on recent technological advances in the horticulture field. Typically one level is completed each year but the opportunity exists to complete multiple levels in a single year depending on apprentice/student interest and the technical training schedule.
The proposed technical training schedule can be found on the School of Horticulture website at kwantlen.ca/registration/timetables/trades/hort-sched. The schedule beyond the current year is subject to change.
Journeypersons in production horticulture are in demand. Municipal parks departments and nurseries often list a journeyperson certification as a minimum requirement when hiring horticulturists.
Transfer from Floriculture Foundation Programs
Graduates of Horticulture Foundation programs receive credit for Levels 1 and 2 of the technical training.
Costs
In addition to applicable tuition fees, students require the following:
- textbooks (purchased at the beginning of Level 1, 3, and 4)
- school supplies
- safety footwear
- rain gear
- field trips
- travel
- accommodation and food
Employment Insurance (EI) Eligibility
Provincial program financial supports must be applied for online through the Apprentice Online Portal at www.apprenticeonline.gov.bc.ca . It is recommended that apprentices apply for these supports four weeks in advance of the start of their technical training and application must be made no later than the first day of technical training.
Application for employment insurance (EI) benefits should be made during the apprentices last week of work and no later than the first week of technical training. Information on EI is available at www.servicecanada.gc.ca.
Transfer to a Diploma Program
Horticulture apprentices who complete Levels 1 and 2 will receive 14 credits if they choose to transfer to the Horticulture diploma program. Horticulture journeypersons (Certificate of Qualification) can continue their education in a Horticulture diploma program. Depending on the diploma specialty selected, journeypersons would receive advanced standing for between 25.5 and 29.5 credits. Journeypersons or apprentices are required to meet Kwantlen's English entrance requirements to enter the diploma programs.
Student Profile
Students interested in the apprenticeship should have a strong desire for hands-on outdoor work, enjoy nature and living things, be concerned about the environment, and have entrepreneurial talents. Individuals with allergies to dust, pollen or plant products, or specific chemicals should be aware of the potential impact on their health. Physical fitness and a healthy back are generally required for a successful career in horticulture. Apprentices may work with plant protection products.
Apprentices in the practical Horticulture Apprenticeship program typically come from a number of horticulture enterprises. For example, they may be working for greenhouse owners, nurseries, municipal parks, or school boards.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to Kwantlen's General university admission requirements including the vocational-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply.
- An ITA Individual ID number (ITA-ID) is required. If you do not have a ITA-ID, you will need to register with the ITA (www.itabc.ca) prior to admission.
Technical training is open to any interested person who meets the admission requirements. A minimum grade 10 completion is preferred. HortEducationBC (www.horteducationbc.com), the horticulture industry training organization, will indenture individuals in horticulture for one year.
Program Requirements
This program is designed to produce journeypersons with good theoretical and practical training, and experience in the horticulture industry.
Level 1 and Level 2 have the same requirements for both the Landscape Horticulture Apprentice and the Production Horticulture Apprentice. Level 3 and 4 are specialized to each apprenticeship.
Horticulture Apprentice Level 1 (AHCC 1010)
- AHCC 1011 - Plant Materials I - A1
- AHCC 1012 - Supervisory Skills - B1
- AHCC 1013 - Equipment Maintenance - C1
- AHCC 1014 - Plant Science - Morphology - D1
- AHCC 1015 - Plant Health - Signs/Symptoms - E1
- AHCC 1016 - Soil Physical Properties - F1
- AHCC 1017 - Horticulture Practices I - H1
- AHCC 1000 - Level I Final Exam
Horticulture Apprentice Level 2 (AHCC 1020)
- AHCC 1021 - Plant Materials II - A2
- AHCC 1022 - Supervisory Skills - B2
- AHCC 1023 - Equipment Maintenance II - C2
- AHCC 1024 - Plant Science - Physiology - D2
- AHCC 1025 - Plant Health - Pests, Diseases - E2
- AHCC 1026 - Soil Chemical Properties - F2
- AHCC 1027 - Horticulture Practices II - H2
- AHCC 1028 - Level II Final Exam
Production Horticulture Apprentice Level 3 (AHPR 1030)
- AHPR 1031 - Plant Materials III - A3
- AHPR 1032 - Pest Control Techniques for Nursery Production - E5
- AHPR 1033 - Management of Soil & Media - F4
- AHPR 1034 - Plant Propagation - M1
- AHPR 1035 - Container Nursery Production - M2
- AHPR 1036 - Systems & Controls - N1
- AHPR 1037 - Phytosanitary Systems - O1
- AHPR 1003 - Production Horticulture Apprentice Final Exam
Production Horticulture Apprentice Level 4 (AHPR 1040)
- AHPR 1041 - Plant Materials IV - A4
- AHPR 1042 - IPM Programs for Nurseries - E6
- AHPR 1043 - Field Nursery Production - M3
- AHPR 1044 - Production Management - M4
- AHPR 1045 - Irrigation and Drainage - N2
- AHPR 1046 - Phytosanitary Certification - O2
- AHPR 1004 - Production Horticulture Apprentice Final Exam
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of an apprentice level, Kwantlen will report your technical training completion information to the Industry Trade Authority (ITA) in order for the ITA to determine credit towards your designated apprenticeship.
