AHC20720 | CERTIFICATE II IN NURSERY OPERATIONS
NO FURTHER ENROLMENTS FROM 02 MAY 2024
Note: This course is for delivery to National Students only.
Overview
This qualification provides an occupational outcome in the production nursery industry. The nursery industry industry expects this qualification to be achieved to meet job
outcomes at this level.
The nursery hand is likely to be involved in a wide range of nursery tasks under limited supervision.
Work done by nursery hands could include:
• tending nursery plants
• assisting sales of products and services
• treating weeds, pests and diseases
• using chemicals and biological agents
• propagation work
• operating tractors, equipment and machinery
There are several ways to get work as a nursery hand. A nursery traineeship will start you training as a nursery assistant before moving on to work as a nursery hand. Individuals with general horticultural experience are often able to find employment as nursery hands on a casual basis, assisting with general nursery work.
Course Duration:
20 Weeks
Study Mode:
Online-moodle
Traineeship
Unit & Assessment Information:
Completion of fifteen (16) units as below.
| Unit | Assessment |
| AHCPMG201 Treat weeds |
This unit covers the process of treating weeds and defines the standard required to: identify significant weed species for the enterprise; apply a range of weed treatment control options; recognize and control risks to environment (including spray drift and chemical spillage); clean and store equipment correctly; monitor treatment site; record weed treatment. |
| AHCWHS201 Participate in work health and safety processes |
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to observe and contribute to positive environmental work practices. The following activities will be covered in this unit : Activity 1 Short answer questions ( Workplace safety ) Activity 2 Exercise ( Recognising hazard in the workplace) Activity 3 Short answer questions ( Risk control) Activity 4 Short answer questions ( Risk assessment and report risk) Activity 5 & Activity 6 Exercises ( Safety working procedures) Practical task
|
| AHCWRK204 Work effectively in the industry | This unit of competency covers the process of working effectively on an individual basis and with others and defines the standard required to: meet the standards required in the industry for dress and work practices; implement the quality standards for workplace products or services; interpret instructions and establish work tasks and priorities; demonstrate communication skills with supervisors and co workers.
The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 & Activity 2 Understanding Your Workplace Structure Activity 3 – Understanding the horticulture industry Activity 4. Occupational health and safety (OH&S) Activity 5. The Code of Practice in your workplace Activity 6. Knowing when tasks are done correctly Activity 7. A daily work schedule Activity 8. Priorities Activity 9. Positive actions on problems |
| AHCNSY207 Undertake propagation activities | This unit covers the process of undertaking propagation activities and defines the standard required to: collect and maintain suitable plant material; apply a range of propagation techniques; maintain and monitor propagated plants; maintain plant hygiene. The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Practical task (Separating cells for seedlings) Activity 2 Multiple choice questions (Separating cells for seedlings) Activity 3 Short answer questions (Separating cells for seedlings) Activity 4 Practical task (Types of softwood cuttings) Activity 5 Matching exercise (Types of softwood cuttings) Activity 6 Short answer questions (Types of softwood cuttings) Activity 7 Practical task (Lining out cuttings) Activity 8 Short answer questions (Lining out cuttings) Activity 9 Matching exercise (Lining out cuttings) Activity 10 Practical task (Separation and division ) Activity 11 Multiple choice questions (Separation and division ) Activity 12 Matching exercise (Separation and division ) Activity 13 Practical task (Stenting) Activity 14 Short answer questions (Stenting) Activity 15 Multiple choice questions (Stenting) Activity 16 Practical task (Budding) Activity 17 Multiple choice questions (Stenting) Activity 18 Practical task (Layering) Activity 19 Multiple choice questions (Layering) |
| AHCSOL203 Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing | This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with the sampling and testing of soil or growing media sampling and testing.
The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Written task ( Locating services) Activity 2 Written task (Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare) Activity 3 Written task (Personal Protective Equipment) Activity 4 Written task (Soil texture) Activity 5 Written task (Soil structure) Activity 6 Written task (Soil colour) Activity 7 Written task (Soil chemical properties) Activity 8 Written task (Properties of growing media) Activity 9 Calculating task ( Air Filled Porosity) |
| AHCPMG202 Treat plant pests, diseases and disorders | This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise plant pests, diseases and disorders, determine the treatment options and apply treatments under supervision. The unit applies to individuals working in a broad range of job contexts who undertake defined routine activities under supervision. They exercise limited autonomy within established and well-known parameters, providing solutions to a limited range of predictable problems. State or territory licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply in some jurisdictions The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Written questions ( Identifying insects and mites)Activity 2 Written questions (Identifying plant diseases) Activity 3 Written questions ( Monitoring pests and diseases) Activity 4 Written questions ( Treatment methods) Activity 5 Written questions ( Treatment application) Activity 6 Written questions ( Post treatment operations) |
| AHCCHM201 Apply chemicals under supervision | This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply chemicals using workplace specific application equipment under supervision. All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and pesticide legislation and codes. The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Short answer questions about Preparing spray equipment Activity 2 Short answer questions about Calibration of boom spray Activity 3 Short answer questions about Identify hazards and assess risks associated with hazardous substances Activity 4 Short answer questions about Personal and public safety in using hazardous substances Activity 5 Short answer questions about Disposing of water waste Activity 6 Short answer questions about Accidental poisoning Activity 7 Short answer questions about Correctly apply treatment Activity 8 Short answer questions about Storage of chemicals Activity 9 Short answer questions about Recording and reporting chemical application and storage details |
| AHCWRK209 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Activity 1 Written task (Identifying resources used in own work role )
Activity 2 Written task (Documenting and measure current usage of resources using appropriate Activity 3 Written task ( Recording and filing documentation measuring current usage, using Activity 4 Written task (Identifying and reporting workplace environmental hazards to Activity 5 Written task (Reporting breaches or potential breaches to appropriate personnel ) Activity 6 Group task |
| AHCPGD207 Plants trees and shrubs | This unit covers the process of manual planting of trees and shrubs and defines the standard required to: carry out ground preparation; excavate planting holes; apply suitable tree planting techniques for the tree species; inspect root ball quality; apply a range of treatments; apply post planting applications; monitor and record plantings. Following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Written questions about Workplace risk assessment Activity 2 Checklist on Preparation for planting operations Activity 3 Written questions about Site preparation Activity 4 Written questions about Prepare trees and shrubs for planting Activity 5 Written questions about Inspect plants and report problem Activity 6 Written questions about Install trees and shrubs |
| AHCMOM203 Operate basic machinery and equipment | This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake prestart checks, operate, maintain and shut down basic machinery and equipment used in the agriculture, horticulture and land management sectors. This unit does not apply to chainsaws, tractors, vehicles, and earth moving equipment.
The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 : Verbal Questions about Machinery and equipment Activity 2 : Workplace Risk Assessment Activity 3 : Observation checklist Activity 4: Written questions on Operation of machinery and equipment Activity 5: Label the parts of the ride-on mower, the correct parts Activity 6: Cleaning and Storage Activity 7: Safe Work Procedure checklist Activity 8: Personal Protective Equipment needed when operating machinery or equipment Activity 9: Fuel/oil ratio Activity 10 : Lawn edger Activity 11 : Rotary hoe and tiller |
| AHCNSY205 Pot up plants | This unit covers the production procedure of staged containerisation of nursery plants after propagation in production nurseries and defines the standard required to: prepare tools, equipment and plants for potting up; prepare growing media for potting up plants; pot up plants to required specification pot size; type and carry out follow-up procedures to potting up.
The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Workplace risk assessment Activity 2 Checklist of tools and supplies commonly used in potting up plants Activity 3 Written task – Health and safety requirements of your workplace for the handling and potting up of potting mixes. Activity 4 Written task – Testing potting mixes using at your workplace Activity 5 Written task – Water and fertilising |
| AHCNSY206 Care for nursery plants | This unit covers the process of following enterprise tend nursery plants. This unit covers the process of tending containerised nursery plants and defines the standard required to: establish the requirements of plants; monitor irrigation and temperature control systems; maintain nursery hygiene; monitor plants; maintain nursery records; implement procedures for waste disposal and tool maintenance The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 & Activity 2 Written tasks (Tending plant safely) Activity 3 Written task (Tending nursery plant) Activity 4 Written task ( Applying fertiliser) Activity 5 Written task (Pruning) Activity 6 Written task (Complete nursery plant maintenance operation) |
| AHCPCM204 Recognise plants | This unit covers the process of recognising plants that are commonly encountered in horticulture or land management situations and defines the standard required to inspect and research enterprise plants; observe and record the habits; characteristics and significant features of plants; use available processes to recognise plants; update a plant reference collection.
The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Written task (Prepare plant for recognition ) Activity 2 Written task ( Inflorescence) Activity 3 Sketching task (leaves) Activity 4 Written task ( Information on plants ) |
| AHCIRG221 Assist with pressurised irrigation operations | This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with installing, operating and maintaining pressurised irrigation systems. These systems use sprinklers and generally use glued PVC pipe. The unit applies to individuals who assist with pressurised irrigation operations under general supervision with limited autonomy and accountability. The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1: Types of irrigation systemsActivity 2 Safety Checklists Activity 3 Tools for irrigation activity Activity 4: Irrigation plan practical activities Activity 5 & Activity 6: Maintenance Activity 7: Inspection Activity 8: Equipment storage Activity 9: Assigning work routines Activity 10: PPE checklist Activity 11: Safety (WHS) Activity 12: Record keeping |
| AHCPGD203 Prune shrubs and small trees | This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prune shrubs and small trees that are less than three meters in height while standing on the ground. It applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context. The following activities will be covered in this unit: Activity 1 Written task ( Workplace Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment ) Activity 2 Written task (PPE Selection & Maintenance) Activity 3 Written task (Identifying tools for pruning situation) Activity 4 Written task ( Pruning techniques) Activity 5 Written task ( Compartmentalisation of decay in trees) |
| AHCINF203 Maintain properties and structures | Activity / Learning Guide (this includes practical assessments) |
Classifications
ANZSCO 841412 Horticultural Nursery Assistant
Entry requirements
| Age: | 16 plus |
| English Proficiency Requirements: | all candidates must complete a Language Literacy & Numeracy Assessment, assessed by the Language Studies Department. |
| Academic Requirement: | Completion of equivalent to Certificate I, or primary school equivalent, or currently employed in the parks and gardens industry or a genuine interest in horticulture. |
Please see fee schedule from relevant National Student page.
