Landscape Horticulture Programs

Landscape Horticulture Certificate and Apprenticeship Programs – Overview

The Landscape Horticulture Certificate and Apprenticeship Programs welcome students of many backgrounds. Whether you are changing careers or just getting started, these program offers an opportunity for individuals interested in plants and cultivation to enjoy hands-on education.

Horticulture involves repetition, adaptability, and persistence. Students should be passionate about plants, physically fit, enjoy hands-on work and being outdoors in all kinds of weather. The learning opportunities are endless!

Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program

Beginning in January and running until November, the Horticulture Certificate Program follows a full growing season to equip individuals to become professional gardeners. Our program blends hands-on learning with classroom time so that students can grow their practical and theoretical knowledge.

Apprentice Training Program Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4

For those interested in a career in horticulture and part-time studies, PHC offers full and part-time apprenticeship training programs. In addition to gaining valuable knowledge and skills, this program will prepare students to write SkilledTradesBC provincial exams and work towards completing their full apprenticeship. After successful completion of all four Levels students can take the Red Seal Exam to receive their inter-provincial Red Seal qualification.

Still not sure which is for you? Reach out!

Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program Details

This program provides students with the knowledge and skills to enter and succeed in the field of horticulture. The course is spent learning the theory in the classroom and applying in the gardens.

Throughout the program, students participate in the maintenance and development of the Gardens at HCP, performing a variety of tasks common to each season. This includes garden projects, garden maintenance, design proposals and installations and greenhouse work. Students also take numerous field trips during the year to visit other local gardens and garden-related businesses, as well as offsite student work projects.

Program Key Facts:

Program duration is 42 weeks from January to November
Full-time Monday to Thursday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am -12:30 pm (28.5 hours/week)
Two weeks of Work Experience in August and September with local industry hosts
Two weeks of summer break in late June / early July

Graduation Requirements:

As this program is a trades program, the attendance and grade requirements are unique to meeting the SkilledTradesBC standards. All students are required to meet these standards.

Attendance:

Maintain a minimum of 90% attendance for the entire program
Maintain a minimum of 50% attendance for each individual course

Grades and Coursework:

Pass all courses with a minimum of 70%
Pass all Pass / Fail courses
All courses in the program must be passed to graduate from the program
Complete all coursework assigned
Successfully complete Practical Skills and Safe Work Practices

After Graduation:

Upon completion of the program, students receive both a Pacific Horticulture College program completion certificate and a SkilledTradesBC Level 1 and 2 Landscape Horticulturist training levels. Additionally, the Certificate provides credit for the first two apprenticeship levels and 500 work-based training hours for Red Seal Certification.

Level 1 & 2 Program Overview

The Level 1 & 2 programs provide students with the knowledge and skills to successfully enter and succeed in the field of horticulture.

The course is spent learning the theory in the classroom and practicing new skills out in the gardens.

The Level 1 and 2 programs are currently offered over four to five months on a part-time basis (two evenings per week and most Saturdays).

Program Key Facts:

The Level 1 and 2 programs are part-time: two evenings a week plus most Saturdays over four to five months
Blended delivery: both in person and online (with Zoom and Moodle)
This program requires a sponsor and SkilledTradesBC registration

Completion Requirements:

As this program is a trades program, the attendance and grade requirements are unique to meeting SkilledTradesBC standards. All students are required to meet these standards.

Attendance:

Maintain a minimum of 80% attendance for each individual course
Maintain a minimum of 80% attendance for the entire program

Grades and Coursework:

Pass all courses with a minimum of 70%
Pass all Pass / Fail courses
All courses in the program must be passed to graduate from the program
Complete all coursework assigned

After Graduation:

Upon completion of the programs, students receive their SkilledTradesBC Level 1 or Level 2 in the Landscape Horticulturist program.

Level 3 & 4 Program Overview:

The Level 3 program is full-time on Monday to Friday from 9 am – 4 pm
Blended delivery: both in person and online (with Zoom and Moodle).
Please Note: Weeks 1 – 4 of the program are online and the final 2 weeks (weeks 5 and 6) of the program are entirely in-person at PHC
This program requires a sponsor and SkilledTradesBC registration

Completion Requirements:

As this program is a trades program, the attendance and grade requirements are unique to meeting SkilledTradesBC standards. All students are required to meet these standards.

Attendance:

Maintain a minimum of 80% attendance for each individual course
Maintain a minimum of 80% attendance for the entire program

Grades and Coursework:

Pass all courses with a minimum of 70%
Pass all Pass / Fail courses
All courses in the program must be passed to graduate from the program
Complete all coursework assigned

After Graduation Level 3 :

Upon completion of the program, students receive their SkilledTradesBC Level 3 in the Landscape Horticulturist program.

After Graduation Level 4:

Upon completion of the program, students receive their SkilledTradesBC Level 4 in the Landscape Horticulturist program and can take the Red Seal Exam to receive their inter-provincial Red Seal Qualification.

To receive a Red Seal in Landscape Horticulture an apprentice must: