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NMIT meets regional demand in horticulture
As employment shortages in the horticulture industry look to sky rocket over the next year due to the ongoing fallout from COVID-19, there’s never been a better time to consider a career change to horticulture.
Brendan Varney has done just that. After losing his job in the travel industry, Brendan made the decision to retrain and enrolled in NMIT’s New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture, Level 3(external link) programme.
Working closely with local industry, NMIT has recently redeveloped the Level 3 programme to reflect the changing needs of the rapidly evolving horticulture sector by giving it a more practical project-based learning approach. With less focus on written assessments, students are encouraged to learn by doing.
Brendan was able to make the most of the flexible learning options including the online study option but says the on-campus classes were an invaluable part of his learning.
“I’m pleased I did the classroom side of things. The interaction and feedback from everyone is important because you can ask questions there and then,” says Brendan.
The New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture, Level 3(external link), is a comprehensive course covering topics such as soil management, propagation, composting, pruning, growing plants from seeds and cuttings, and how to manage irrigation in addition to a number of other related topics.
This free programme can be completed in one semester and includes both classroom time (Tuesday and Wednesdays 9–3pm) and self-directed learning at home using the very informative online classroom, Moodle.
Students also spend a day a week working on the Marlborough Campus or at horticultural industry workplaces to broaden their skill-based knowledge and hone their practical skills.
Study options are available for full-time over six months or part-time over a year and prepare graduates for work in the horticulture industry, growing on their own land, or advancement into further study.
In addition to the standard February and July intakes, NMIT Marlborough have multiple part-time study options available starting in March, May, August and October.
To find out more about the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture, Level 3 visit nmit.ac.nz/horticulture
