DESCRIPTION
Horticulture Apprenticeship links learning and employment by providing apprentices the opportunity to further their education, while at the same time maintaining full-time employment in the horticulture industry.
Apprentices sign a registered indentureship agreement with a horticulture employer who is committed to practical on-the-job industry training. Students indenture through a signed and registered Apprenticeship Agreement between the Provincial Government, the apprentice and their horticulture industry employer. Documents are available online at www.itabc.ca.
During the apprenticeship, students attend technical training sessions for theoretical and practical instruction at Kwantlen in Langley. Technical Training sessions are six weeks long. Credit for previous work experience and/or vocational training may be negotiated with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) when the apprenticeship agreement is signed and the student is registered.
The first two levels of the program include fundamental horticulture knowledge and skills. The instruction in levels three and four focuses on one of Landscape Horticulture or 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 does exist to complete multiple levels in a single year depending on apprentice/student interest and the technical training schedule. The proposed technical training schedule through 2010 can be found on the School of Horticulture website at kwantlen.ca/hort. The schedule beyond the current year is subject to change.
Journeypersons in horticulture are in demand. Municipal parks departments, golf courses, nurseries, landscape contractors, and cemeteries often list a journeyperson certification as a minimum requirement when hiring horticulturists.
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 will work with plant protection products.
Apprentices in the practical Horticulture Apprenticeship program come from a number of horticulture enterprises. For example, they may be working for greenhouse owners, tree removal and maintenance companies, nurseries, golf courses, municipal parks, school boards or landscape maintenance/installation companies.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
(under review)
A minimum of Grade 10 completion is preferred.
Technical training is open to any interested person. It is preferred, but not required, that applicants for technical training be presently employed and indentured in the horticulture industry.
To enrol for technical training, students must complete and submit a Kwantlen Application for Admission or Readmission (if already a Kwantlen student) as early as possible.
Further information, application forms and specific start dates may be obtained from Enrolment and Registrar Services at 604.599.3215 or the School of Horticulture at 604.599.3254 or online at kwantlen.ca/hort.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) (under review)
Apprentices may be granted prior credit for a portion of the required workplace hours or technical training based on their employment. The employer, the apprentice and ITA determine this jointly, at the time of indentureship. Graduates of Horticulture Certificate programs (Foundation programs or formerly Entry Level Training programs) are eligible to receive credit for Levels 1 and 2 of the technical training. Application for advanced standing in the apprenticeship program must be made to the ITA, not to Kwantlen.
CONTENT
This program is designed to produce journeypersons with good theoretical and practical training, and experience in the horticulture industry.
COSTS
In addition to applicable tuition fees, students require the following:
- textbooks (purchased at the beginning of Level 1 and 3)
- school supplies
- safety footwear
- rain gear
- field trips
- travel
- accommodation and food
EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (EI) ELIGIBILITY (FOR INDENTURED APPRENTICES ONLY)
The Horticulture Apprenticeship program is an approved Technical Training Program. Apprentices may be eligible to collect Employment Insurance Benefits during their in-school sessions, as well as additional benefits such as travel and lodging allowances. These details can be verified by contacting your local Service Canada Centre.
TRANSFER
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 will have to meet Kwantlen entrance requirements for new students.
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of the four institutional based training levels, the required workplace hours (6480 hours) and the employer's confirmation of the prescribed workplace training, the apprentice is awarded a Certificate of Qualification in their specialty from the Industry Training Authority, and a statement of Completion by Kwantlen.