Horticulture Courses

The Certificate II in Horticulture has been developed for those looking for an introduction to the horticulture industry.

You will learn the basic skills in horticulture, as well as an overview of the specialist skills in five horticulture trades: parks and gardens, landscape construction, nursery, sports turf management and arboriculture.

You will study in Holmesglen's specialised horticulture training facilities which includes access to industry machinery, landscaping and turf management grounds and park facilities.

This Certificate II in Horticulture is a VET Delivered to Secondary School Students and offers students a chance to acquire a wide range of horticulture skills.

Students will learn how to build retaining walls, lay paving, maintain gardens, test soils, drive a tractor, use a ride on mower and identify pests and diseases in plants.

Participants will get to work outdoors in a variety of roles.

This course provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge that, when combined with workplace skills, will enable you to perform the function of an arboriculture tradesperson.

It has been designed for employees and employers in the arboriculture industry or those who are wishing to gain employment in the arboriculture industry.

After completion of this course, you may be employed by arborists, tree care companies, local councils and parkland operators.

During your study, you will experience tree climbing, aerial rescues and pruning at Holmesglen's Rural Learning Centre, near Eildon, as well as gaining practical experience in bush, rural and metro settings. 

These training camps will be held over one week. We also provide courses for industry that are delivered at various times throughout the year, including but not limited to, chainsaw, chipper, tree felling and trim and cross cut training and licence to operate a boom.

Other skills sets related to the arboriculture industry may be delivered on request.

Holmesglen's qualified and experienced teachers will assist you to achieve the skills you need to advance your career in landscaping.

This course provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge that, when combined with workplace enhancement skills, will enable you to perform the work of a landscape gardening constructor.

The course is run in accordance with the National Industry Competency Standards for Landscape Construction.

Roles in the industry can be varied and include, construction and maintenance of domestic and commercial landscapes, or the construction and installation of amenity and recreational landscape structures.

You may also undertake the design of gardens and commercial landscapes, or provide technical advice and forward estimates on landscape development proposals.

Employers in this industry include individual landscapers, landscaping companies and public bodies, such as local councils.

Throughout this course you will develop the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the management and maintenance of public and private parks, reserves and gardens, natural bushland and community recreation areas.

You will gain skills in the design and implementation of special plant displays and be able to give advice on plant selection and use in domestic and commercial situations.

Kick-start your future in production nursery with this course. This course will teach you how to maintain nursery plants, apply biosecurity measures, troubleshoot irrigation systems and more.

Jump into a career straight away as a nursery worker, wholesale production assistant, green life layer or retail sales person.

And if you want to further your studies, you can go on to study the Certificate IV in Horticulture, Diploma of Horticulture or Diploma of Landscape Design - all also offered at Holmesglen.

This course provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge that, when combined with workplace skills enhancement, will enable you to perform the work of a retail nursery person.

This course is run in accordance with the National Industry Competency Standards for Retail Nursery.

Throughout the course you will develop skills and knowledge in the propagation, production and maintenance of plants for sale and hire.

You will learn about the retailing of plants and associated products, and be able to provide advice on plant selection.

You will also learn about the development and promotion of plant products and services.

This course provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge that, when combined with workplace skills enhancement, will enable you to perform the work of a turf tradesperson.

This course is run in accordance with the National Industry Competency Standards for turf.

You will learn skills in the establishment and maintenance of recreational turf, the preparation of sports playing surfaces and the management of recreational and sports turf facilities.

You will also learn how to provide advice on turf irrigation, pest and disease control, and management practices.

This course allows you to develop post-trade skills and knowledge across a broad coverage of the horticulture industry, prior to undertaking higher level roles in the workplace.

You will learn a variety of skills including the design and implementation of special plant displays and the provision of advice on plant selection and landscape solutions for domestic and commercial situations.

This course is suitable if you are currently working in the industry, or if you are interested in entering the field and need to build on practical and theoretical skills.

It is also suitable if you are involved in the business or entrepreneurial aspects of the horticulture industry and need to acquire skills in assessing technical, economic and managerial issues.

After completing this course, you are qualified to undertake supervisory roles and maintenance of public and private parks, reserves and gardens, natural bush land and community recreation areas.

This course has been developed for those currently working in the sports turf area who have completed a minimum of AHC31316 Certificate III in Sports Turf Management.

Typically you will have considerable experience in your industry along with a strong sense of your work requirements and management expectations.

Specifically designed for professionals aiming to further their career, the course will develop your ability to manage individuals in the workplace and/or to develop or review management practices.

Our unique approach to teaching includes assessment tasks that incorporates workplace projects so that you combine work and study, resulting in skills and knowledge that are immediately transferable to the workplace.

The strength of the course lies in its flexibility and the content related to the sports turf area.

When combined with workplace skills, this diploma will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge that will enable you to perform the function of an assistant manager or manager in turf-related businesses or local council settings.

At the completion of this course, you may be employed by golf courses, bowling greens, councils, and other related horticulture areas.

This course is designed for:
- people who are new to the horticulture industry and need to acquire practical and theoretical skills
- people seeking employment within the horticulture industry
- people who are new or intending owners of horticulture businesses who need to acquire skills in assessing technical, economic and managerial problems
- people currently in landscaping, who are looking to update and enhance existing skills.

This course develops, advances and updates your landscaping skills. Through practical projects and discussions, we teach you how to design a specialised landscape, produce computer-aided drawings and manage landscape projects.

You’ll also gain key knowledge about site assessments, and plants and trees for both commercial and domestic property.