Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf)
International
Local
| Course Enquiries: | Course Enquiries: Phone: 9564 6391 or email hortfloristry@holmesglen.edu.au General Enquiries: Phone: 9564 1555 Email: Info@holmesglen.edu.au |
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| Course Code: | RTF30803 |
| Start Date(s): | Throughout the year - please contact the Horticulture Department |
| Location: |
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| Total Course Length: |
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| Prerequisites: | Provided Holmesglen has vacancies, entry into the course is automatic for people who meet government prescribed eligibility requirements. |
Overview
This course is a post entry level certificate and provides participants with the necessary skills and knowledge that, when combined with workplace skills enhancement, will enable them to perform the work function of a Turf Tradesperson, in accordance with the National Industry Competency Standards for Turf.
Qualification & Recognition
To obtain the Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf), a total of 16 units of competency must be completed from those groups offered in the training package at Level III.
Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer
Students may be able to shorten the length of their chosen course by measuring skills acquired through work, life experiences or qualifications obtained from formal studies or training. AQTF qualifications and statements of attainment issued by another registered training organisation will be recognised by Holmesglen.
Course Fees
Fees are calculated according to the level of course being studied, and the number of hours being undertaken, up to Government established maximums. Certain categories of students may be eligible for a Government Subsidised Place. Assistance is available for those who are unable to afford fee payment up front.
All Victorian TAFE fees will change on 1 July 2009. Please check the links below or contact the Information Office on 03 95641640.
How to Apply
- Directly to Holmesglen: Please contact Horticulture Department on 9564 6391 or email hortfloristry@holmesglen.edu.au
Course Structure
- Unit
- Hours
- Provide information on plants and their culture
- This competency standard covers the process of providing information to clients and others about plants and their cultural requirements. The provision of information is likely to be under limited supervision from others with checking only related to overall effectiveness. The provision of information requires the application of extensive horticultural knowledge and a broad range of plant-related skills. The provision of information is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required.
- 140
- Operate specialised machinery and equipment
- This competency standard covers the functions involved in operating specialised machinery and equipment. It requires particular skills and knowledge to operate specialised agricultural, horticultural or conservation and land management machinery. An ability to perform pre-operational checks on machinery, assess work requirements, determine work plans, monitor performance and maintain records is also required. In addition, it requires knowledge of licensing requirements, workplace safety, and positive environmental practices associated with the operation of machinery. Judgment and discretion combined with the ability to work under minimal supervision is necessary.
- 60
- Control weeds
- This competency standard covers the process of controlling weeds, taking into consideration integrated pest management options. Implementation is likely to be under limited supervision from others with checking only related to overall progress. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others may be involved. Implementation requires the application of knowledge in areas such as weed recognition, biology and control, and the lifecycles of weed predators and hosts.
- 48
- Control plant pests, diseases and disorders
- This competency standard covers the process of controlling plant pests, diseases and disorders taking into consideration integrated pest management options. Implementation is likely to be under limited supervision from others with checking only related to overall progress. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others may be involved. Implementation requires the application of knowledge in areas such as pests and disease recognition, lifecycles, biology and control, and predators and hosts.
- 80
- Respond to emergencies
- This competency standard covers the process of recognising and responding to emergencies and implementing a range of life support measures across a broad spectrum of situations /incidents. It requires the ability to accurately evaluate the emergency, avoid/control escalation of the emergency, efficiently implement a plan of action, and render first aid care. Responding to emergencies requires knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety legislation and regulations, the emergency network, and first aid casualty management principles.
- 60
- Prepare and apply chemicals
- This competency standard covers the process of preparing and applying chemicals for the control of weeds, pests and diseases. It requires knowledge of the chemicals related to the workplace, the hazards and risks involved in their use, and the specific safety procedures prescribed for working unsupervised within organisational guidelines.
It requires the ability to handle and apply chemicals ensuring minimum risk, to self, others and environment and accurately record their use. - 70
- Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair
- This competency standard covers the process of coordinating machinery and equipment maintenance and repair for a small enterprise. Typically this is a role undertaken by a single person with responsibility to ensure that machinery and equipment for the enterprise is maintained and repaired in a way that allows the core business of the enterprise to continue with minimal disruption.
The co-ordination of machinery and equipment maintenance and repair is likely to be carried out under limited supervision with checking only related to overall progress. It requires the application of extensive agricultural, horticultural and/or conservation and land management knowledge and a broad range of relevant skills. The work is usually done within established routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgment is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions and achieving outcomes within time constraints. - 48
- Install irrigation systems
- This competency standard covers the process of installing pressurised irrigation systems. It requires the ability to organise resources for installation work, set out and prepare site, install irrigation components, complete installation work, commission irrigation systems and communicate with work team members, supervisors, contractors and consultants. Installing irrigation systems requires knowledge of methods and techniques of irrigation, components of an irrigation system, behaviour of water on varying terrain and soil types, soil water retention testing techniques and soil characteristics, and enterprise OHS procedures.
- 60
- Install drainage systems
- This competency standard covers the process of installing surface and/or subsurface drainage systems. It requires the ability to interpret site specifications and drainage system plans, set out drainage system works, measure materials, level and align earthworks, and use relevant equipment, tools and machinery. Installing surface and/or subsurface drainage systems requires knowledge of the purposes of drainage systems and the application of drainage system plans to the physical situation, drain types, components and installation techniques, soil characteristics, and enterprise OHS procedures.
- 60
- Trouble-shoot irrigation systems
- This competency standard covers the process of troubleshooting faults and blockages in irrigation systems. It requires the ability to read and apply system specifications, technical manuals and supply/spare parts inventories, operate, maintain and repair irrigation systems, and record and report maintenance activities. Troubleshooting faults and blockages in irrigation systems requires knowledge of characteristics and operation of replaceable components of irrigation systems, system malfunctions and their likely causes, isolation procedures and OHS and environmental guidelines.
- 36
- Operate pressurised irrigation systems
- This competency standard covers the process of operating pressurised irrigation systems including the use of pre-start checks, start-up, operation and inspection of the system, and shut down in response to irrigation indicators. It requires the ability to read and follow operations manual and irrigation schedules, measure and interpret flow rates and pressures, identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and take appropriate remedial action, and implement and follow relevant OHS and environmental policies and procedures. Operating pressurised irrigation systems requires knowledge of main components of pressurised irrigation systems, pump types and their operation, environmental impacts of irrigation, soil/plant/water relationships, and water requirements of plants/crops.
- 50
- Carry out workplace OH&S procedures
- This competency standard covers the process of carrying out enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and procedures. The unit is also concerned with OHS responsibilities of employees with supervisory responsibilities. It requires the ability to work in accordance with workplace procedures in hazard identification and risk control, carry out safe practices during work operations, and participate in arrangements for maintaining the health and safety of all people in the workplace. Carrying out OHS policies and procedures requires knowledge of employee and employer responsibilities under the OHS Act, enterprise procedures relating to hazards, fires, emergencies, accidents and risk control, and OHS signs and symbols relevant to area of work.
- 50
- Construct turf playing surfaces
- This competency standard covers the process of constructing soil profiles for the establishment of high performance sports and recreational turf surfaces. The construction of soil profiles for high performance turf playing surfaces is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The construction of soil profiles is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgment are required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints.
- 72
- Establish turf
- This competency standard covers the process of establishing turf in sporting, public recreational open space, and/or domestic situations. Turf establishment is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress.
Turf establishment involves the application of horticultural knowledge with depth in some areas and a broad range of horticultural skills. The work is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of machinery and equipment, work organization, services, actions, and achieving outcomes within time and budget constraints. - 72
- Renovate sports turf
- This competency standard covers the process of renovating sports turf. Renovation of sports turf is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The work requires the application of extensive horticultural knowledge and a broad range of horticultural skills. Turf renovation is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgment is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints.
- 60
- Sample soils and analyse results
- This competency standard covers the process of carrying out soil sampling and interpreting the results as a foundation for further horticultural operations such as nutrition programs and irrigation scheduling. Carrying out soil sampling is likely to be under limited supervision from others and with checking only related to overall progress. Soil sampling at this level requires the application of horticultural knowledge and a range of horticultural skills. The work is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgment is required in the selection of sites, equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints.
- 60
Assessment
Assessment may be a combination of written and online assignments, tests, examinations and practical application projects.
Career and Further Study Opportunities
This course is an excellent introduction to employment in the horticulture industry. The turf sector is characterised by a range of enterprises in one or more of the following activities:
Graduates of this Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf) can undertake further studies progressing through streams of Certificate IV in Horticulture, Diploma in Horticulture to Advanced Diploma in Horticulture.
