Course Details

Build horticultural production management skills and gain a nationally-recognised qualification. This course is designed for people who would like to improve their skills and knowledge for specialist or managerial job roles in the production horticulture industry including owner, farm manager, head grower, crop manager, section manager, and specialist consultants

• Course Information

  Our course is designed for people who would like to improve their production horticulture and farming skills and knowledge across the industry. If you are interested in parks and gardens or amenities horticulture this course may not be suitable for you

  There are no prerequisites however some course entry requirements do apply - it is an entry requirement that you have access to a farm or horticulture business of a commercial scale on which to base your assessment tasks. See below for more details.

  You have up to two years to complete this course in a self paced online format. Your learning time includes not only the time you spend working on the course materials, but also your time for reflection and thinking about what you have learned as you go about your normal activities. We estimate the total learning time may be up to 20 hours per week for some students. Of course, this will vary according to your existing skills and knowledge.

  Student Handbook

  Possible job titles relevant to this qualification:

  • Senior Horticulturist
  • Horticulture enterprise manager
  • Farm production manager
  • Production unit manager

  COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Be actively engaged in farming/ horticulture or have ready access to and knowledge of a farm/horticulture business which can be used for completion of assessment tasks. As a guide, your chosen farm should show these characteristics:
    • Operated as a business for profit
    • Have a commercial scale
    • Have agricultural enterprises such as commercial crops or livestock
    • Be close to where you live so you can be physically on it regularly (eg weekly)
    • Be able to provide you with details of past production, management processes, costs, prices etc. Advanced Diploma units will require access to past financial records
    • If you are not part of the farm business, RuralBiz Training may require you to provide contact details for the owner or manager to confirm your access to the farm
  • Have access to a computer with at least Windows 7, Word 97, Excel 97, Adobe Reader and satellite broadband internet connection or similar. If you have a Mac computer, we suggest you talk to a computer technician about installing the Windows environment
  • Basic computer skills e.g. use of internet, email, basic word processing skills
  • Completion of Year 12 or equivalent or be able to demonstrate similar literacy and numeracy levels

  RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) & CREDIT TRANSFER

  RPL is a process which recognises the experience and skills you have gained through previous work experiences, or prior study. This means you may gain recognition without additional training.

  If you have done previous accredited training we may be able to offer you direct credit transfer for units in this course. Contact us if you think this applies to you.

  TRAINERS

  Your trainers are well qualified, practical people who are managing their own farm businesses or providing services to farmers.

  Click here for more about the RuralBiz Training trainers.

• Units

  To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:    10 units of competency:    5 core units plus    5 elective units. Elective units must ensure the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. The electives are to be chosen as follows:    at least 3 units from the electives listed below    up to 2 units from the remaining electives listed below, or any other endorsed Training Package or accredited course packaged at Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

  Core Units
  AHCBUS511	Manage enterprise staff requirements
  AHCPCM507	Diagnose plant health problems
  AHCPHT511	Develop a horticultural production plan
  AHCWHS502	Manage work health and safety processes
  AHCWRK512	Plan, implement and review a quality assurance program
  Electives
  AHCBUS513	Market products and services
  AHCBUS516	Develop and review a business plan
  AHCBUS517	Monitor and review business performance
  AHCBUS518	Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports
  AHCHYD501	Develop a plan for a hydroponic system
  AHCSOL505	Monitor and manage soils for production
  AHCSOL508	Manage soils to enhance sustainability
  Other
  AHCWRK513	Write and present reports
  AHCAGB518	Develop climate risk management strategies
  AHCSOL406	Sample Soils and interpret results

• Cost

  Your fee for this course will depend on the the availability of a subsidy from your State and your eligibility. To view a summary of all current course fees and subsidies please click here or contact our office for more information.

  PAYMENT OPTIONS

  Payment plan

  Want to make smaller, regular payments throughout your course?

  The payment plan option consists of establishing a direct debit for payments deducted weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly from your nominated bank account or credit card, across the duration of your enrolment. There is a $13.64 establishment fee and an administration charge (Amex, Debt Collection: 5.5% or Direct Debit: 4.5%) on all payment plans. The establishment fee is paid in your first instalment and the administration fee becomes part of your scheduled deduction. Payment plans are administered by DebitSuccess – www.debitsuccess.com.au

  Upfront payment

  Individual students can pay up to $1,500 of their course fee up-front. An employer or organisation  can pay up to 100% of a learners course fee up-front if they are an employee or member of the organisation.

• Delivery

  We use a variety of ways to deliver your training such as:

  Self-paced online learning:

  Use resources and information in our online learning site (RuralBiz Online) to work at your own rate, at times that suit you. You will find resources to help you learn including videos, quizzes, print materials and links to other useful websites. This site also has a forum where you can post comments and questions for other participants and your trainer. It will also be the spot to upload your assessments, receive trainer feedback and track your progress.

  Interactive online sessions:

  These are run in our Blackboard Collaborate virtual classroom where you work with a trainer and other participants. You will be able to see a presentation on your computer screen, hear the trainer and other group members, and ask questions or make comments. One of our previous participants described it as being like "two way radio with pictures" but it also has a whiteboard, chat function and many other tools useful for training. Some sessions are also recorded for listening back at a later date. These sessions are usually run on demand when there is a group of at least 10 participants to attend.

  Printed Manuals:

  Many of our units use a printed manual, giving you time to explore the online learning environments while having familiar materials at hand.

• Benefits

  Key Benefits

  • Flexible - self paced online or online group delivery, fit study in with your life.
  • Everyone with an internet connection has equal access to training
  • Training is delivered to you - wherever you have internet access
  • No travel time or travel costs
  • Access to online materials 24/7
  • Access to the best trainers who are farmers themselves, not just trainers who can visit your district
  • Your very own Guardian Angel for support
  • Work in groups from a wide geographic area
  • Training can continue even if you are travelling or cut off by floods or other natural disasters
  • Assessments are submitted online - fast turnaround times
  • Student Card - purchase some items at discounted prices
• Pathways

  Further Education or Training:

  Further training pathways from this Qualification include, but are not limited to:

  • AHC60216 Advanced Diploma of Horticulture
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management
  • Various University Degrees
    Note: you may receive credit for some of the units completed. Contact the university of your choice to find out more.

  EMPLOYMENT

  Employment pathways from this qualification include, but are not limited to:

  • Senior horticulturist
  • Horticulture enterprise manager
  • Farm production manager
  • Production unit manager