This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen University College Calendar for 2000-2001 and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the Calendar for updated information.

Horticulture (Practical)
Apprenticeship

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Intake Information

The Practical Horticulture Apprenticeship Program is administered by the Apprenticeship and Job Training Division of the Ministry of Labour, in accordance with the General Regulations of the Apprenticeship Act in British Columbia. Further information and application forms may be obtained from:

Industry Training & Apprenticeship Commission (ITAC)
Fraser Valley Region
101 - 17720 57th Ave.,

Surrey, BC V3S 1H2

Description

The Practical Horticulture Apprenticeship Program involves learning a trade through observation, practice, study, and the completion of four six-week long technical training periods at Kwantlen. The in-school training takes place over a four-year apprenticeship-training program. During the apprenticeship, the apprentice is indentured (bound by contract) to an employer who has agreed to provide the opportunity for the apprentice to work and gain experience in the horticulture industry. At the employer's work place, the apprentice will, whenever possible, receive appropriate practical work experience and exposure to the skills acquired by the apprentice during his/her regularly scheduled in-school technical training periods.

To obtain the necessary experience required as a certified journey-person, an apprentice must be exposed to as many horticultural tasks and skills as possible. Fundamental to this process is the reinforcing of each previous learning experience whether it occurred in school, through apprentice self-training, or on the job.

An apprentice is an employee, and as such is paid an hourly wage by the employer, which increases according to experience and the current journey-person's rate of pay. Apprentice wages start at fifty per cent of the hourly rate paid to journey-persons and increases at six month intervals to ninety percent (union agreements may stipulate a higher rate).

The Horticulture Apprenticeship Program is of four years' duration with two specialties: Production Horticulture and Landscape Horticulture. The first two years of in-school training are common regardless of the specialty chosen. However, years three and four have in-school and on-the-job learning tasks that are unique to each specialty. Note: The academic preparedness of all newly indentured apprentices will now be tested prior to year one technical training.

Student Profile

Apprentices in the Practical Horticulture Apprenticeship Program come from a number of horticultural enterprises. For example, they may be working for greenhouse operations, nurseries, tree removal and maintenance companies, golf courses, municipal parks, school boards, or landscape maintenance and/or installation companies.

Content

This program is designed to produce journey-persons with both good theoretical and substantial practical training and experience in the horticulture industry. Note: apprentices graduating from the landscape specialty may enter the second year of the Turf Management Specialization in the Horticulture Technology Program with advanced credit.