Horticulture

Course Content

Horticultural, Forestry and Environmental work covers a wide range of jobs at different levels in both public and private sectors. Jobs may be seasonal and working hours flexible according to the
demands of the job. Work in general is practical, ‘hands on’ and often based outdoors. Some jobs may also be quite physical. The following are examples of some of the duties that may be included in Horticultural, Forestry and Environmental jobs:

• Hard landscaping: e.g. building/constructing walls,
  paths and driveways
• Soft landscaping: e.g. garden maintenance, taking care of plants and shrubs, digging and mowing grass
• Propagation for amenity crop production: e.g. sowing seeds and growing plants
• Understanding Health and Safety regulations
• Operating and maintaining plant/garden machinery
• Organic gardening
• Discussing requirements with clients, dealing with customers or the general public
• Chain saw, brush cutting, spraying and tractor driving
• Applying fertilisers and pesticides
• Basic building tasks; putting up sheds, building walls and patios

Jobs may include:

• Nursery or Garden Centre Worker
• Groundsperson
• Organic Production Worker
• Soft or Hard Landscaper
• Horticultural Worker/Therapist
• Machinery Driver – Forklift
• Forestry/Tree Surgeon
• Private Estate Gardener
• Plant Machine: Operator/Installer/Maintenance Worker
• Local Authorities, Parks, Leisure Grounds and Garden Maintenance Officer
• Woodland/Forest or Countryside Ranger/Manager or Officer

In general the training involves:
The Land Based Skills training programme covers a
range of modules including: Preparing Ground for Seeding or
Planting, Using a Mower, Identifying 20 Trees and Shrubs,
Applying Fertilisers by Hand, Laying Slabs and Paving Stones, Maintaining Wood Structures, Health and Safety, and Propagation by Cutting to name but a few.

Depending on job goals and individual circumstances, trainees then continue their training through supported work placement which is mainly sourced in the area they intend to find
employment. Training is mostly practical with some theoretical elements.

Flexible training
Modules can either be grouped together to make formal
qualifications, or selected individually to accompany other training programmes. The length of training depends on the individual trainee’s needs, circumstances and job goals. These will be discussed and agreed with the Case Manager at assessment stage.

Level of training and qualification offered:

• 9352-01 Level 1 in Horticulture Skills (Examining Body for this is City and Guilds and NPTC)

Further training programmes include:

• Lantra Proficiency Tests in a variety of topics, including; Chain Saw, Brush Cutting, Spraying, Tractor Driving
• Customer Relations – In-house Certificate

Our Person Centred approach:
Once funding has been agreed, you will be invited in for an assessment with a dedicated Case Manager who will discuss with you your skills, aspirations and abilities and from this confirm whether you are ready to start training for work with St Loye's. The Case Manager will then build an Individual Employment
Plan (IEP) in agreement with you. This will include personally tailored skills training, development, support and employment programmes.