Horticulture (City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate)

This is for you if you are looking to start a career within the horticultural sector. The horticulture sector is made up of many diverse industries delivering the science, art, technology and business of ‘growing plants’.

Achievement of this qualification demonstrates to an employer that you have the necessary technical skills and knowledge they are looking for when recruiting for a trainee horticulture operative. Opportunities will be given to impress potential employers during our workdays towards the end of the course so that you may succeed in finding employment.

You will gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge that are important when you are working in a horticultural setting, or progressing to further learning and training in this area. You will get lots of practice and support to enable you to develop as a horticulturalist.

This course primarily focuses on producing fruit, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs and glasshouse crops.

• Production techniques in horticulture
• Health and safety for the land-based industries
• Working in the horticulture industry
• Plant naming, identification, selection and science
• Establishment and maintenance of plants outdoors
• Care, maintenance and use of tools and machinery
• Horticulture business skills

Work Experience

Study programmes include a minimum of compulsory work experience hours achieved through one day a week or block placements. The amount of hours required is dependent on the study programme.

Assessment:

• Synoptic assignment: requires you to identify and use effectively in an integrated way an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from across the course content area.
• 1.5 hours theory exam: assesses your depth and breadth of understanding across content in the qualification at the end of the period of learning, using a range of question types and will be sat under invigilated examination conditions. Units 202, 203, 204, 205 and 206.
• Health and Safety theory exam: This exam is designed to assess your depth and breadth of understanding of the “Health and safety for the land-based industries” 201 unit.
• Assignment: The assignment requires you to identify and use effectively skills, knowledge and understanding from across the content of the unit 210 “Production techniques in horticulture”.
• Grading: Assessment and exams will be graded Pass, Merit and Distinction.

Either:

• 4 GCSE's at Grades 9-3 inc. English & Maths (Science at grade 3 is recommended)
• Mature students without the above requirements will be considered.