Vocational education and training
Training and education in Australia is aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Information on the AQF is available from their website.
Vocational education and training (VET) is education and training that focuses on providing skills for work, delivery at these levels is generally more practical or hands on.
The following list gives an indication of qualifications and job roles;
- Certificate II: Entry level role where direct supervision is required
- Certificate III : Trade level certificate where broad supervision /direction is required
- Certificate IV: Team leader / nursery floor supervisor
- Diploma and Advanced Diploma: Management level operations or technical roles.
The nursery industry has two training streams of Nursery Operations (Production Nursery and Retail Nursery) and Horticulture.
Nursery Operations
(Production Nursery and Retail Nursery)
Nursery Operations incorporates both Production Nursery and Retail Nursery studies, electives can be chosen in each course for either Production Nursery or Retail Nursery specialties.
Certificate II in Nursery Operations AHC20720
Certificate III in Nursery Operations AHC31120
Certificate IV in Nursery Operations AHC40620
Diploma of Nursery Management AHC50820
Horticulture
Provides a general vocational outcome in amenity horticulture and is not a suitable pathway for horticultural trades, see Nursery Operations.
Horticulture is the science of plants.
Certificate II in Horticulture AHC20416
Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30716
Certificate IV in Horticulture AHC40416
Diploma of Horticulture AHC50416
Advanced Diploma of Horticulture AHC60216
It is also possible to complete these qualifications as part of an apprenticeship or traineeship. For more information on apprenticeships please visit Apprenticeships Australia
Other horticulture courses are available which specialise in different areas of horticulture. These include; Arboriculture, Landscaping, Production Horticulture (Fruit, nut & vegetable farming) and Parks and Gardens.
These courses may be useful in supplementing the industry specialist courses in Nursery Production and Retail Nursery.
Providers of these courses include TAFE and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). For information on these courses including learning outcomes and contact details of which providers can deliver accredited courses please visit the training.gov.au website.
Brite Pathways (VIC)
A Brite Pathways Course helps young people with a disability to transition from school into a job or training, preparing them for success in the next stage of their lives.
