How is The Course Delivered?

Training is delivered via blended delivery (includes Distance Learning with Workplace Learning).

As a part of the enrolment process, you will complete a competency assessment to determine your existing level of relevant knowledge and skills. You will then be provided with a training plan that identifies your Cohort based on this assessment.  The amount of training and support required for each learner will vary depending on your Cohort.

Course Duration: This course is designed to be completed within up to 52 weeks full time and 104 weeks part time or under training program, depending on your:

• prior knowledge, skills, and experience
• allotted time to study every week
• learning abilities

Expected Study Hours: Typical learners are expected to spend up to 450 hours of study to complete the course.

Note: Please read The Australian Institute of Agriculture student handbook containing the Refund Policy, Complaints and Appeals Policy, RPL Procedure, and other policies and procedures prior to enrolling.

What are The AHC20320 Course Units?

The AHC20320 Certificate II in Production Horticulture is composed of 4 core units and 11 elective units, for a total of 15 units.

What are The Entry Requirements?

There are no prerequisites required to enter this course. However, it is preferred that students:

• Are at least 15 years or older, if an individual is under the age of 18, Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012 applies
• Have sound or industry’s expectation of language and literacy skills (at least Year 10 English or equivalent, or have at least 3 years of relative industry experience and/ or be able to arrange LLN support)
• Have basic computer skills
• Have access to host farms, if not the RTO may provide or arrange access to one

*AIA will provide learners information on the resources required for assessment

What are The Resources Needed to Complete The Course?

To support you in your new course with Australian Institute of Agriculture, we will provide:

• Learning Materials and Assessment Workbooks
• Simulations and case studies, where applicable
• Templates for completing Project Documents

To complete your course, you will need to arrange access to a computer with:

• Internet access with a reliable speed of at least 5mbps
• MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel or equivalent applications
• Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent application

Skills training and assessment is to be completed on a farm. To complete your course, you must arrange access to a farm that will allow you access to the following resources for training and assessment:

• all tools, equipment, materials and documentation used in farms
• relevant workplace procedures, products, and specifications associated with typical farm operations
• WHS requirements, including legislation, codes, safety management systems, hazardous substances and dangerous goods code, and local safe operating procedures
• personal protective equipment, including that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices
• Chemical application equipment such as boom sprays, orchard air-blast sprayers, handheld spray equipment, wipers, dry chemical applicators, dips, pour-on, spot-on, vaccination and drenching equipment
• Chemical transport and storage equipment
• Pressurised irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation systems and spray irrigation systems
• Horticultural/ Field crops including those for human consumption
• Typical tools/equipment used for removal of flowers or crops such as sticks, shakers and thinning sprays
• Typical tools/equipment used for pruning such as pruning machines
• Fertilizers and other plant nutrition products
• Clean up and maintenance tools and equipment
• Plant species and cultivars
• Products and materials to meet the nutritional requirements of plants, to modify soil pH and soil ameliorants to improve soil fertility.

The Australian Institute of Agriculture will assist learners in ensuring host farms have sufficient and industry-current technologies, systems, tools and equipment for training and assessment. Where required, The Australian Institute of Agriculture will provide learners access to its farm (ZaatzVille), or assist in arranging access to other neighbouring farms.

Resources for Distance Learning

• Self-Paced Distance learning is also an important component of this course. You will be provided with learner guides to read in your own time, and access to live and/or recorded online webinars with your trainer.
• The learner guides will be provided to you electronically via email upon confirmation of your enrolment, via your Google Classroom, or via post as a hardcopy upon request, at an additional cost (printing + shipping).
• The webinars will be delivered live via Google Hangouts. If you miss the session, or if you want to access previous recorded sessions, you may also access them via links provided in your Google Classrooms, or via direct links sent via email upon request.

Upon enrolment, you will be invited to your Google Classroom. You may use your personal email to sign up and login, or you may create one especially for your course. Your Google Classroom will provide you links to your workbooks, links to the recorded webinars and other references. Google Classroom also allows you to communicate with your trainer and other learners enrolled in your course. Access to Google Classroom is not mandatory but is recommended to enhance your learning experience.

NOTE: Prior to enrolment, The Australian Institute of Agriculture assesses the nominated host farm to ensure that learners will have access to all required equipment, tools, and other relevant resources in the workplace.

What are The Course Fees?

Applicants eligible for Government Funded Smart and Skilled program or Fee-Free courses may only contribute either a small proportion or no fee for this course. The AHC20320 course for other applicants is available for discounted fee of $6000 paid in 4 equal instalments. Dual qualifications are offered at additional fee of $1500 during the ongoing training. Enrolment processing fee of $100 applies at the time of admission.

These fees include tuition and electronic copy of the learning and assessment resources. You may request a printed copy sent to you via post at an additional cost ($200 per cluster + shipping fee). Please see Fees and Refunds Policy for more information.

What are The Qualification Pathways?

Learners may also consider additional training to complement their skills such as:

• Certificate III in Production Horticulture
• Certificate III in Agriculture
• Certificate IV in Production Horticulture
• Certificate IV in Agriculture^*

Certificate IV in Agriculture are not offered by The Australian Institute of Agriculture

For the complete list of qualifications, please visit the MySkills website at https://www.myskills.gov.au/courses/details?Code=AHC20320.

Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Available?

The Australian Institute of Agriculture has a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy to ensure that an individual’s prior learning, achieved through formal and informal training, work experience or other life experiences, is appropriately recognised. This recognition may assist students to progress faster through their course.

Learners will be required to complete an application for recognition of prior learning and submit evidence to substantiate their existing knowledge and skills.

Note: Please read The Australian Institute of Agriculture student handbook containing the Refund Policy, Complaints and Appeals Policy, RPL Procedure, and other policies and procedures prior to enrolling.