Landscape Horticulturist: Apprenticeship

Description

KPULandscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship Training Program provides apprentices with relevant and comprehensive theoretical and practical horticulture education. Landscape Horticulturist is a Red Seal Trade in Canada. The Red Seal endorsement promotes excellence to employers, instills pride in skilled workers, and facilitates labour mobility.

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training and classroom learning. An apprenticeship is established when an apprentices obtains a ITA Worker Number and identifies a sponsor to register an apprentice with the Industry Training Authority (ITA). After apprentices have registered with the ITA, they can begin to register at KPU for in class training. Apprentices may apply to the ITA to recognize prior work-based training hours. Refer to www.itabc.ca for information.

Landscape Horticulturist requirements are established in the Landscape Horticulturist Program Outline published by the BC Industry Training Authority. Landscape Horticulturist apprentices complete four 6-week training levels, in sequence, at the KPU Langley Campus.

Combined with their work experience, and their KPU educational experiences, Landscape Horticulturist apprentices become highly skilled and in demand journeypersons in the horticulture industry. They are employed at municipal parks departments, botanical gardens, golf courses, private landscape contractors and arboriculture companies, and as consultants throughout the province and across Canada

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 (in conformance with WorkSafeBC regulations)
• rain gear and outdoor work wear including work gloves
• field trips
• travel
• accommodation and food

Training Schedules

KPU apprentice training schedules and waitlists are published on Kwantlen Course Search.  Additional apprenticeship training opportunities are listed on Trades Training BC; this is the hub for BC's Public Trades Training Programs & Services.

Financial Supports for Apprentices

Apprentices may be eligible for financial support for the in-class portion of their training through the EPBC Apprentice Program Financial Supports. Application to this program must be made four to six weeks prior to the start of technical training. Information is available through WorkBC.

Apprentices must apply separately for Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits no later than the last week of work, or during the first week of training, or they will not be eligible to receive EPBC Apprentice Program Financial Supports. EI information can be obtained by visiting Service Canada.

The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada. As of January 2015, apprentices can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of in-school technical training. Information is available at the Canada Apprentice Loan Service Centre.

Transfer from Horticulture Foundation Programs

Graduates of KPU Horticulture Foundation programs receive credit for Levels 1 and 2 of the technical training.

Student Profile

Students interested in the Landscape Horticulturist apprenticeship program will have a strong desire for hands-on outdoor work, enjoy woking in nature and with living things, and be interested in learning about the ecosystems they work in... 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 have some work experience or are interested in working in number of horticulture enterprises. For example, they may be working for greenhouse owners, landscape maintenance or construction companies, nurseries, golf courses, municipal parks, or school boards.

General Prerequisites

The following requirements apply:

• Completed KPU Apprentice Registration
• Active apprentice registration in the BC Apprenticeship system.
• Valid Trade Worker Identification number from the Industry Training Authority (ITA-ID). If you do not have an ITA-ID, you will need to complete an apprenticeship registration form through the ITA (www.itabc.ca) prior to enrolling (Level 1 through to 4). To determine your eligibility please consult with the Industry Training Authority.

Note: International student enrolment requires approval of the Dean.

Curricular Requirements

Note: KPU Tech does not permit students to register in Apprenticeship Levels out of sequence.

The ITA  is changing the Landscape Horticulturist Program over the period from 2018 through 2021. The Landscape Horticulturist Program Outline and Program Profile are posted on the Landscape Horticulturist webpage at itabc.ca Further details will be posted here once available.

It is important for Landscape Horticulturist apprentices to be clear about which version of the program they are registered in. If you completed Level One training before September 2018, or are not certain if you are in the Harmonized program, please contact ITA Customer Service.

 

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of an apprentice level, KPU 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.