AHC40320| CERTIFICATE IV IN PRODUCTION HORTICULTURE

Overview

This qualification allows individuals to develop post-trade and knowledge to become specialists within the production nursery industry. The nursery industry expects this qualification to be achieved to meet job outcomes at this level.

The production horticulture supervisor is likely to have significant responsibilities in managing planting, growing and harvesting activities.

These responsibilities include:

• developing a plant nutrition program

• managing irrigation

• developing canopy management and crop regulation programs

• supervising crop harvesting

• supervising machinery maintenance, supplies and services

• operating a budget

• promoting plant health

CRICOS Course Code:

104839K (VIC/QLD)

Course Duration:

52 weeks

Study Mode:

National Students:

Classroom face to face

Online – Moodle

Distance

International Students:

Classroom face to face only ( 20 hours per week)

Unit and Assessment Information:

Completion of twelve (12) selected units as below.

Unit	Assessment
AHCIRG437 Schedule irrigations	Assessment 1 – Written Short and Extended Answer Questions, Definitions, Terminology, Water Theory, Extended Answer Questions on Soil and water relationship. Assessment 2 – Written Extended Questions: Irrigation Scheduling, Health and Safety, Water Pressure, Calculations Exercises: Uniformity / Irrigation Scheduling Calculations, as detailed in the exercises Assessment 3 – Practical exercise: Irrigation System Uniformity Test Assessment 4 – Online examination
AHCPHT409 Develop a crop regulation program	Assessment 1 – Create a crop regulation poster Assessment 2 – Written Short and Extended Answer Questions on preparing and documenting the crop regulation program and specifications Assessment 3 – Prepare a detailed nutrients crop regulation program.
AHCNSY403 Plan a growing-on program / AHCNSY404 Plan a propagation program	Assessment 1 : Written questions covering follow key areas Identify issues affecting the growing-on program Develop the growing-on plan Assessment 2 : Project report on plan a grow-on program in a nursery or field production Assessment 3 :   Oral presentation on the project report Online quiz
AHCPCM406 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition program	Assessment 1 – Written questions on determining relevant regional data and site characteristic Assessment 2 – Practical / Stimulated or Demonstrated Activities – Soil tests Assessment 3 – Written questions on documenting the soil health and plant nutrition program and specifications Assessment 4 – Calculation of fertiliser Assessment 5 – Recorded power point presentation for plant nutrition program Assessment 6 – Examination
AHCSOL406 – Sample soils and interpret results	Assessment 1- Written Short and Extended Answer Questions, Definitions, Terminology, Preparing for soil surveying & sampling activities, soil physical and chemical characteristics & parameters for specific plants, RAW, soil ameliorant and improvement techniques Assessment 2- Practical / Simulated or Demonstrated Activities Soil depth and colour (Munsell Chart) Soil texture test (Ribbon test) Soil structural stability in water Soil pH, soil EC Soil Microbes Test Moisture Analysis Assessment 3 – Written questions covering follow key areas Determine relevant regional data and site characteristics Define the requirements for plant nutrition Document the soil health and plant nutrition program and specifications Monitor plant growth and evaluate the program properties are identify for testing Assessment 4 – Calculation of fertilisers Assessment 5  Part A-Writing report : Research botanical specifications, site assessment, growing conditions and environmental context for a selected crop. Part B – Oral/ Recorded PowerPoint
AHCWRK401 Implement and monitor quality assurance procedures	Assessment  1  Task 1: Definition Questions Task 2: Quality specification scenario Assessment 2 – Case study : Risk Assessment in a Quality Assurance Process Assessment 3 – Short answer questions and case study covering follow key areas Identify hazards and critical control points in the production of quality product Assist in planning of quality assurance procedures Assessment 4– Written questions/scenario covering follow key area Assist in planning of quality assurance procedures Assessment 5 – Case study about Responsibility Allocation Matrix and trained staff Assessment 6 – Practical activities to determine product quality include colour, pH, firmness, and sugar content Assessment 7 – Freshcare online quiz ( Competency grade : 80%) Assignment 8 – Online examination
AHCWHS401 Maintain work health and safety processes	Assignment 1 – Written questions on WHS legislations, code of practices, national standards, enterprise WHS policies and procedures. Assignment 2  – Workplace hazard identification, assessment of risk, hierarchy of control, procedures for hazards identification, assessing and controlling risks & safety training. Assignment 3 –  PPE, basic safety checks, hazardous substances, noise hazards, manual handling risks, monitoring and report workplace safety issues, raising WHS issues. Assessment 4 – Participation in consultation, procedures for emergency event, WH&S training and maintaining occupational health & safety records and response to emergencies. Assessment 5 – Online Examination
AHCPCM404 Recommend plants and cultural practices	Assessment 1 : Wiki task on Identify a range of web-based information sources about the genus and species of plants. Assessment 2    Short answer questions on Identify client preferences and requirements, Select and advise on plants for specific situation Plant observation activities and class/laboratory activities Assessment 3 : Recorded Power Point – Provide a specialist advise Assessment 4 :  Plant resource package on Identify a range of plants suitable for specific situations Assessment 5 : Weekly plant ID test Assessment 6 : Online Examination and Plants observation test
AHCBUS408 Operate within a budget framework	Assignment 1 – Create a budget for a production horticulture operation Assignment  2 – Complete the excel worksheet provided for a selected crop production for horticultural food production and addressing financial transactions in creating journal entries for debits and credits.
BSBLDR412 Communicate effectively as a workplace leader	Assessment  1 – Prepare, engage and review communication on at least four occasions with different individuals or groups, based on the case studies provided, for simulated workplaces in horticulture / agriculture. Assessment 2 – Identify and record actions required as a result of communication and follow-up in a timely manner in horticulture / a gricultural enterprise.
AHCBIO401 Plan and implement a biosecurity program	Assignment 1  Part A : Biosecurity online training course Part B : Animal health disease online course Assignment 2 Part A : Plan and implement a biosecurity program Part B : farm biosecurity risk checklist Assessment  3 – Recorded PowerPoint : Present a biosecurity plan training plan

Classifications

ANZSCO 121200 Crop Farmers

Entry requirements

Age:	16 plus
English Proficiency Requirements:	all candidates must complete a Language Literacy & Numeracy Assessment, assessed by the Language Studies Department.
Academic Requirements:	Completion of Certificate III in Horticulture or related field or equivalent to Australian Year 11 general schooling or 2 years work experience in horticultural related field.

Tuition Costs

Please see fee schedule from relevant National or International Student page.