Commissioner's Information Bulletin 691
Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management - Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Date of effect: 13 March 2020
Bulletin Information
In this Commissioner's Information Bulletin (CIB) the traineeship vocation Agriculture – Irrigation is established along with two associated qualifications.
- Agriculture - Irrigation
These qualifications are deemed not equivalent.
All other VTOs remain unchanged.
Superseded Bulletin
This Commissioner's Information Bulletin supersedes CIBs 669, 672 and 690.
Vocational Training Orders (VTOs)
Apprenticeships
- Horticulture - Landscape Construction #
- Horticulture - Parks and Gardens #
- Horticulture - Production Nursery
- Horticulture - Retail Nursery
- Horticulture - Sports Turf Management
Traineeships
- Agriculture - Agribusiness
- Agriculture - Beekeeping
- Agriculture - Commercial Composting
- Agriculture - Commercial Seed Processing
- Agriculture - Dairy Production
- Agriculture - Feedlot Operations
- Agriculture - General
- Agriculture - Irrigation
- Agriculture - Organic Farming
- Agriculture - Pork Production
- Agriculture - Poultry Production
- Agriculture - Production Horticulture
- Agriculture - Rural Machinery Operations
- Agriculture - Rural Merchandising
- Agriculture - Rural Operations
- Agriculture - Seed Production
- Agriculture - Seed Testing
- Agriculture - Shearing
- Agriculture - Wool Classing
- Agriculture - Wool Clip Preparation
- Agriculture - Wool Handling
- Conservation and Land Management
- Conservation and Land Management - Conservation Earthworks
- Conservation and Land Management - Indigenous Land Management
- Conservation and Land Management - Lands, Parks and Wildlife
- Conservation and Land Management - Natural Area Restoration
- Horticulture - Arboriculture
- Horticulture - Arboriculture - Climbing
- Horticulture - Arboriculture - Climbing and EWP
- Horticulture - Floriculture
- Horticulture - Horticulture
- Horticulture - Landscaping
- Horticulture - Parks and Gardens
- Horticulture - Production Nursery
- Horticulture - Retail Nursery
- Horticulture - Sports Turf Management
Qualifications, structure and packaging
Transition Arrangements
Industrial arrangements
Part-time apprenticeships
Competency based completion
Competency based progression
School based apprenticeships and traineeships
Licensing and regulatory arrangements (#)
Registered training organisations
Funding arrangements
Inspecting Vocational Training Orders
Enquiries
To sign up an apprentice or trainee call 1300 363 83 or to find information about a job in an apprenticeship or traineeship search here.
For implementation of new pathways in relation to this Training Package profile, please contact Melissa Wortman, NSW AgriFood ITAB on mobile 0421 830 056.
David Collins
The Commissioner for Vocational Training
Job descriptions
Apprenticeships
Horticulture
Certificate III level is for people wanting to work in the landscape construction sector of the horticulture industry. Apprentices will learn:
- occupational health and safety processes
- landscaping techniques, including constructing landscape features, brick structures and stone structures and paving work
- project costing
- drainage installation
- plant and soil practices including implementing a plant establishment program, advising on plants and their culture and constructing a soil profile
Certificate III level is for people wanting to work in the parks and gardens sector of the horticulture industry as a horticulturists and municipal gardeners. Apprentices will learn:
- occupational health and safety processes
- pest management techniques including controlling weeds and plant pests, diseases and disorders
- plant nutrition programs
- soil profile construction
- environmentally sustainable work practices
- turf establishment practices
- tree inspection processes
- park facilities inspection
Certificate III level is for people wanting to work in production nurseries. Apprentices will learn:
- occupational health and safety processes
- nursery practices including maintaining nursery plants and receiving and dispatching nursery products
- biosecurity - dealing with emergency plant disease
- chemicals - preparing, applying, transporting, handling and storing
- irrigation systems
- pest management including controlling weeds and plant pests, diseases and disorders
- soil sampling and soil less growing media
- plant practices including plant establishment and advising on plants and their culture.
Certificate III level is for people wanting to work as nursery hands, nursery workers or nursery retail sales assistants. Apprentices will learn:
- occupational health and safety processes
- environmentally sustainable work practices
- pest management techniques
- techniques for providing information on plant cultures and identifying plant specimens
- nursery practices including maintaining nursery plants, receiving and dispatch nursery products and installing and maintaining plant displays
- merchandising and sales practices such as interacting with customers and coordinating merchandise presentation
Certificate III level is for people wanting to work in the turf sector of the horticulture industry as greenkeepers and groundsmen. Apprentices will learn:
- occupational health and safety practices
- environmentally sustainable work practices
- irrigation systems installation
- operation of specialised machinery and machinery maintenance
- plant practice techniques including plant nutrition programs and providing information on plant cultures
- pest management techniques of controlling weeds and plant diseases
-
turf management practices
Traineeships
Agriculture
Certificate IV level trainees will learn to apply business skills and knowledge to the agriculture and production horticulture industry, in an administrative capacity.
After becoming competent in the core unit of maintaining occupational health and safety (OHS) processes, trainees may undertake elective units in:
- agribusiness and business practices
- shearing
- managing crop and livestock production
- legislation compliance
- policy implementation
Certificate III level trainees will seek work in the apiary industry as beekeepers. At the core level will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- manage honey bee swarms
- remove a honey crop from a hive
- extract honey
With elective units, they may gain further skills in beekeeping work, food safety programs, coordinating work site activities including handling bulk materials and operating a forklift. For school based trainees, refer to Approval Requirements - SBTs.
Certificate III level trainees will seek to work in a commercial composting facility. After becoming competent in the core unit of learning to contribute to OHS processes, trainees may undertake elective units in:
- operating compost processing plants, machinery and equipment
- coordinating work site activities including handling bulk materials
- identifying, assessing and securing raw materials supply for compost production
- transporting, handling and storing chemicals
- operating and maintaining machinery and equipment
Certificate III level trainees will seek work in commercial seed processing facilities. At the core level will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- operate a screen cleaner, indent cylinder and gravity table
- handle, package and store commercial quantities of seed
- sample seed before and after processing
With elective units, they may gain further skills in:
- keeping business records
- operating a forklift and seed modification and seed treatment machinery
- operating specialised seed processing machinery
Certificate III level trainees may be already employed in or wish to enter the agriculture industry in the dairy sector. Job roles could include dairy farmhand. At the core level they will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- establish pastures and crops for livestock production
- coordinate milking operations
- implement animal health programs, livestock feeding plans and procedures for calving
- practise safe chemical preparation, storage and handling
- plan and construct an electric fence
With electives, trainees may gain further skills in livestock management, compliance with animal welfare requirements, establishing and maintaining agricultural crops (known as broadacre cropping), implementing property improvements, maintaining irrigation systems, operating and maintaining machinery, operating a dairy recycling system and implementing environmentally sustainable work practices.
Certificate III level trainees will gain employment in beef cattle feedlot operations. At the core level, they will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- identify and report unusual disease or plant pest signs
- prepare, apply, transport and store chemicals
- apply environmentally sustainable work practices
Trainees will then choose electives to become skilled in one of three specializations - feeding and milling, feedlot maintenance or pen riding. The specialist electives will cover property infrastructure development, livestock systems including animal health programs, machinery operation and maintenance, pest management, environmentally sustainable work practices, horticulture practices and broadacre cropping.
Certificate II level trainees will qualify for an entry level occupational outcome in agriculture. They may have little or no experience but want to work in livestock, cropping or mixed farming enterprises as farm assistants or station hands.
At the core level, trainees will learn to participate in OHS processes and sustainable work practices, as well as acquire basic technical skills relevant to the selected industry area. With the elective units, specialisations may include broadacre cropping, dairy, livestock production, irrigation, horse breeding, machinery operation and maintenance, pork production, beekeeping, sheep and wool and pest control.
Job roles include assistant animal attendant or stockperson, assistant farm or station hand, assistant farm or station worker and assistant farm or station labourer.
Certificate III level trainees will develop their technical skills and knowledge for positions with livestock production, cropping or in the case of mixed farming enterprises, both. For school based trainees, refer to Approval Requirements - SBTs.
At the core level, they will learn to contribute to OHS processes and implement and monitor sustainable work practices. With elective units, trainees will achieve higher skills in selected industry areas. These could include broadacre cropping, chemicals use, livestock production, machinery operation and maintenance, horse breeding, irrigation, beekeeping, agribusiness, horticulture, pest management, sheep and wool and hydroponics. Job roles include farm or station hand and farm or station worker.
Certificate IV level trainees will develop "post-trade" skills and knowledge to become specialists within the agriculture industry. The qualification is designed to meet the needs of supervisors or team leaders in the agriculture industry.
Initially, trainees will learn to maintain OHS processes. From elective units, trainees will further specialise in skills areas which could include broadacre cropping, dairy routines, livestock production, agribusiness, chemicals use, irrigation systems, pork production, horse breeding, machinery operation and maintenance, merchandising and sales, organic production, pest management, soils, wool and workplace project management. Job roles include farm team leader, farm supervisor and shed supervisor.
Certificate III level trainees will seek work at operator level in the irrigation industry.
First, trainees will advance on training from the Certificate II level core units. From electives, trainees will gain further skills in:
- connecting and installing irrigation systems
- recommending irrigation products and services
- customer service, product information and sales techniques
- coordinating work site activities, including storing bulk materials
- implementing and monitoring environmentally sustainable work practices
Job roles include irrigation installer and irrigation retail sales assistant.
Certificate IV level trainees will develop "post trade" skills and knowledge in the irrigation industry for positions as specialists or team leaders. They will gain core competencies to:
- determine hydraulic parameters for an irrigation system
- determine seasonal irrigation scheduling tasks
- sample soils and interpret results
From elective units, trainees will acquire skills in supervising and training staff, implementing specialised irrigation systems, marketing and retail techniques, business management, project management and staff supervision.
Certificate IV level trainees will develop skills and knowledge within the organic farming and general agriculture industry as supervisors or team leaders. This qualification is suitable for people currently working on an organic farming enterprise. Possible job titles include: organic farm team leader, organic farm supervisor, and organic farmer.
Certificate III level trainees will further develop their technical skills in agriculture or horticulture for positions such as stockperson or animal attendant in the pork industry. At the core level, they will learn to contribute to OHS processes. From elective units, trainees may gain further competencies in selected skills areas such as artificial insemination, livestock production and pest management.
Job roles include stockperson and pork industry attendant.
At the core level, they will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- comply with industry quality assurance requirements
- implement and monitor sustainable work practices
- implement animal health control programs
- maintain primary production business records
- identify and report plant pest diseases
- participate in food safety programs
Trainees may then specialise in selected skills areas such as chemicals use, livestock production, poultry techniques, machinery operation and maintenance and workplace training. Job roles include owner/manager broiler farm, egg farm supervisor, free range/broiler egg farm supervisor and hatchery supervisor.
Certificate II level trainees will seek work as assistants to tradespeople in the horticulture industry. The qualification enables individuals to select a tree cropping, vegetable or berry production or mushroom production context as a job focus or, in the case of mixed enterprises, both. At the core level, trainees will learn to participate in OHS processes and environmentally sustainable work practices. With electives, trainees may gain further skills in the areas of:
- production horticulture
- soils and media
- quarantine procedures
- chemicals use under supervision
- safe food handling
- property maintenance
- machinery, including bikes and tractors
- nursery processes
- pest management
- tools and equipment
- industry work practices
Job roles include farm or orchard hand, farm or orchard worker and farm or orchard labourer.
Certificate III level trainees will further develop their technical and production skills in the production horticulture industry, in sectors such as tree cropping, vegetable or berry production, or mushroom production or in the case of mixed enterprises, both.
Initially, trainees will learn to contribute to OHS processes. They may then gain further skills in crop harvesting and regulation, plant disease and pest management, soil fumigation, drainage, hydroponics, irrigation systems, maintaining and operating specialised equipment and machinery and managing work sites including assessing weather conditions and responding to emergencies.
Job roles include vegetable farm worker, orchard farm worker, mushroom farm worker and plantation worker.
Certificate IV level trainees will develop "post-trade" skills and knowledge to become specialists within the production horticulture industry. The qualification enables individuals to select a tree cropping, vegetable, berry or flower production or mushroom production context as a job focus or, in the case of mixed enterprises, both. Following initial learning in how to maintain OHS processes, trainees will gain higher level skills in:
- soil and plant nutrition programs
- crop harvesting and mushroom crop development
- nursery programs
- soil sampling and analysing results
- e-business practices
- safe chemical use program development
- food safety programs
- irrigation systems planning and scheduling
- organic soil practices
- promoting industry policies
- staff supervision
Job roles include farm team leader and farm supervisor.
Certificate III level trainees may seek work as agricultural plant operators or contractors within the rural sector. At the core level, trainees will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- coordinate and perform machinery and equipment maintenance and repair
- operate specialised machinery and equipment
With electives units, trainees may gain advanced skills in machinery operation and maintenance, using tools and equipment including oxy acetylene and manual metal arc welding, responding to emergencies and coordinating work site activities.
Certificate III level trainees will work as sales staff within a rural enterprise. Job roles include rural merchandiser and sales assistant. At the core level, they will learn to:
- maintain OHS processes
- sell and recommend products and services to customers
- build relationships with customers
- implement environmentally sustainable work practices
With elective units, trainees may gain further skills in merchandising and sales including fertiliser and soil product knowledge, using e-business tools, operating a forklift and handling and storing bulk materials.
Certificate II level trainees may have little or no expertise in the rural sector but want to work in an industry or agency in rural or regional Australia. Trainees will learn about safe work processes and environmentally sustainable work practices, as well as selected industry-specific skills and knowledge. Depending on the units selected, trainees may be employed not only in rural industries but also other rural and regional sectors, such as local government, tourism, hospitality, transport, construction, community services, information technology and metals.
Certificate III level trainees will build on their expertise and skills for positions within enterprises and agencies in rural/regional Australia. They will learn to implement safe work processes and environmentally sustainable work practices, as well as gain advanced selected industry-specific skills and knowledge. Depending on the units selected, trainees may seek employment not only in rural industries but also in other industry sectors, such as local government, tourism, hospitality, transport, construction, information technology and metals.
Certificate III level trainees will gain general skills and knowledge in the seed production industry.
Certificate IV level trainees will develop higher level skills and knowledge and become specialists within the seed production industry. Trainees will be able to work as supervisors or team leaders in the seed production industry.
The Certificate III and IV level seed testing qualifications are nested. The preferred pathway for entry into the Certificate IV is the Certificate III. Trainees will gain skills and knowledge in seed testing and analysis. These qualifications cover the skills and knowledge required to apply a range of laboratory technologies to conduct scientific-technical tests and sampling in most industry sectors. Some job roles or employment outcomes could be technical officers, laboratory technicians, analysts and similar personnel.
Certificate II level trainees will qualify for an entry level occupational outcome as shearers. The shearing industry expects this qualification to be achieved to meet job outcomes at this level. They will learn introductory skills to enable employment as supervised shearers in the shearing industry. The core competencies will include crutching and shearing techniques, equipment maintenance, environmental work practices and monitoring safe working practices.
Certificate III level trainees will seek work as professional shearers in the shearing industry. They will build on skills and knowledge from previous training and/or experience by learning advanced techniques and skills for professional shearing, maintaining equipment, implementing safe working practices and coordinating site activities. The industry expects professional shearers to have a high standard of workmanship at a rate of at least 120 sheep per day.
Certificate IV level trainees will seek work as shearing contractors in the shearing industry. The will manage teams of shearers and shed staff and ndertake all arrangements for managing and servicing shearing sheds including: shed supplies, animal wlefare programs, first aid, wages and finance delivering training and managing shearing operations.
Certificate IV level trainees will undergo specialist wool classing training. The qualification is the minimum mandatory requirement for persons wishing to apply to the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) for registration as an Australian Wool Classer. They will learn to:
- maintain OHS processes
- apply first aid
- class fleece wool
- manage wool harvesting, wool clip preparation and wool classing
- appraise wool to industry specifications
- prepare fleece wool for classing
- document and review wool harvesting processes
Certificate III level trainees will seek work as owner wool classers. The qualification is the minimum requirement for people wanting to apply to the AWEX for registration as an Owner Wool Classer. They will learn to:
- maintain OHS processes
- apply first aid
- supervise and document wool clips and their preparation
- prepare sheep for shearing and crutching
- oversee and instruct shed staff
Wool Handling trainees will undergo entry level and higher level training for work in the wool handling industry as wool handlers.
Certificate II level trainees will acquire introductory skills and knowledge for working in the industry, including board duties, wool pressing, penning sheep and preparing facilities, safe working practices, and observing environmental work practices.
Certificate III level trainees will further develop their skills and knowledge for specialist positions within the industry. They will learn about preparing wool for classing, preparing facilities, quality assurance in wool preparation, pressing wool, performing shed duties and safe working practices.
Conservation and Land Management
Certificate II level trainees will work at an operator level in industry sectors such as indigenous land management, conservation earthworks, lands, parks and wildlife or natural area restoration.
At the core level, they will learn about safe work practices and environmentally sustainable work practices. From elective units, trainees may gain selected skills in areas such as fauna, flora, fire control, indigenous culture and practices, weeds and pest controls, machinery operation and maintenance, and business processes.
Certificate III level trainees will gain general vocational skills in the conservation and land management industry. Work roles may involve Indigenous lands management, national parks and wildlife officers and land revegetation and rehabilitation. At the core level trainees will learn to:
- contribute to occupational health and safety processes
- implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.
From elective units, trainees may gain selected skills in areas such as Indigenous culture and practices, weeds and pest controls, chemicals use; machinery operation and maintenance, parks maintenance and industry work practices.
Certificate IV level trainees will develop higher level skills and knowledge to enable them to work in senior roles as specialists in conservation and in land management.
At the core level, trainees will learn to maintain safe work practices. From elective units, trainees may gain selected skills in community coordination and facilitation, indigenous land management, lands, parks and wildlife, natural area restoration, fire control, soil and water conservation, leading and supervising staff, business practices and pest management.
Certificate III level trainees will be working to construct earthworks on rural properties and rural lands. Job roles may include dam construction and other soil and water conservation activities that are undertaken by earth moving plant operators. At the core level, they will learn to:
- contribute to occupational health and safety processes
- construct conservation earthworks for particular purposes
- maintain machinery.
From elective units, trainees may gain selected skills in lands, parks and wildlife, soil and water conservation, natural area restoration, work site management and contingency practices.
Certificate III level trainees will want to work in the conservation and land management industry in roles that require an indigenous focus. At the core level, they will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.
From elective units trainees will gain knowledge of traditional and culturally specific aspects of land management. They will also acquire special skills in areas including fauna, lands, parks and wildlife, natural area restoration, pest management, business documentation, chemical use and application, landscaping, lands, parks and wildlife, machinery operation and maintenance, plant nutrition, vertebrate pest management, work emergencies and collecting global positioning system (GPS) data.
Certificate III level trainees will want to work across many different sectors in the conservation and land management industry. At the core level, they will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.
From elective units, trainees may gain special skills in areas including lands, parks and wildlife, indigenous land management, pest and weed management, plant identification, biosecurity, maintaining flora, natural area restoration, application of chemicals, machinery operation and maintenance, soil sampling, responding to work emergencies and tracking GPS data.
Certificate III level trainees will undertake management of natural area restoration programs. Job titles may include revegetation worker and land rehabilitation worker. At the core level, they will learn to:
- contribute to OHS processes
- Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.
From elective units, trainees may gain special skills in planning a restoration program, inspecting and assessing a site for the replacement of vegetation, monitoring natural area restoration works and reviewing land restoration programs.
Horticulture
The Certificate II level trainees may work as assistants in arboriculture, in roles of tree worker and ground worker. Compulsorily, they will learn to:
- apply occupational health and safety policies and procedures in the construction industry
- fell small trees
- perform above ground pruning
- undertake standard climbing techniques
- undertake stump removal
- perform ground based rigging
- trim and cross cut felled trees
- operate a mobile chipper and mulcher
Trainees may then gain skills in elective areas including arboriculture techniques, applying chemicals, landscaping, machinery operation and maintenance, pest management, recognising plants, soils and soil media and industry work practices.
The Certificate III in Arboriculture trainees will seek work as arborists. Trainees maintain trees in a variety of environments including tree nurseries, plantations, power-line clearance areas and parks. The work includes climbing and working at heights to remove, prune and maintain trees.Compulsorily, they will learn to:
- apply occupational health and safety policies and procedures in the construction industry
- perform aerial rigging
Trainees may then gain higher level skills in elective areas including arboriculture techniques and practices, machinery operation and maintenance, use of chemicals, plant identification and industry work practices.
The Certificate IV in Arboriculture trainees will learn aspects of supervision and assessment of arborists. Compulsorily, they will learn to:
- apply risk assessment and control procedures including audits
- evaluate ground-based tree defects and verify pruning specifications
- develop a soil health and plant nutrition program
- administration processes for finance, insurance and legal requirements including the production of complex desktop published documents.
The Certificate II level trainees may work as flower growers in the floriculture industry. Compulsorily, they will learn to participate in occupational health and safety processes. Trainees may then gain competencies from elective areas including recognising plants, nursery practices, production horticulture, soils and media, biosecurity; use of chemicals, irrigation and drainage systems, machinery operation and maintenance, pest management and industry work practices.
The Certificate III level trainees may work as flower farm workers in the horticulture industry. Compulsorily, they will learn to contribute to occupational health and safety processes. In elective areas, trainees may then gain broader skills and knowledge in plant nutrition and their culture, soils and media, nursery practices, biosecurity, application of chemicals, drainage and irrigation, hydroponics, machinery operation and maintenance, nursery technologies, pest management, production horticulture, water treatment and industry work practices.
The Certificate II level trainees may work as horticulture assistants.
Compulsorily they will learn to:
- participate in occupational health and safety processes
- maintain environmentally sustainable work practices
From elective areas, trainees may also gain skills in plant care, landscaping, nursery operations, arboriculture practices, turf construction, parks and gardens, use of chemicals, irrigation techniques, machinery operations and maintenance, merchandising and sales and pest management.
The Certificate III level trainees will work as horticulturists and gardeners in the amenity horticulture industry.
Compulsorily, they will learn to:
- contribute to occupational health and safety processes
- implement environmentally sustainable work practices
From elective areas, trainees may also gain a broader range of skills and knowledge in pest management, arboriculture, plants and soils, nursery practices, parks and gardens, landscaping, turf construction and management, biosecurity, use of chemicals, irrigation and water systems, machinery operation and industry work practices.
The Certificate IV level trainees will work as senior horticulturists and horticulture team leaders. Compulsorily, they will learn to maintain occupational health and safety processes. Trainees may then gain skills in elective areas including plant and soil health, weed and pest management, maintaining and establishing turf, business management, use of chemicals, design practice, merchandising and sales, plant organics, natural area restoration and industry work practices.
Certificate II level trainees may work as landscape labourers and landscape trades assistants. At the core level, they will learn to:
- participate in occupational health and safety processes
- assist with landscape construction work
- operate basic machinery and equipment
- plant trees and shrubs
- recognise plants
From elective units, trainees may also gain skills in arboriculture, applying chemicals, irrigation systems, landscaping, machinery operation and maintenance, parks and gardens practices, pest management, soils and media, turf management and industry work practices.
Certificate II level trainees may work as assistant gardeners and groundspersons. At the core level, they will learn to:
- participate in occupational health and safety processes
- apply chemicals
- maintain irrigation systems
- operate basic machinery and equipment
- plant trees and shrubs and inspect park facilities
- treat weeds
- recognise plants
- determine soil properties
- support turf establishment
From elective units, trainees may also gain skills in landscape construction, arboriculture, irrigation techniques, machinery operation and maintenance, nursery activities, parks and gardens responsibilities, pest management, turf establishment and industry work practices.
Certificate II level trainees may work as production nursery worker. At the core level, they will learn to:
- participate in occupational health and safety processes
- apply chemicals
- apply nursery practices
- recognise plants
- treat weeds
From elective units, trainees may also gain skills in biosecurity, drainage and irrigation, parks and gardens, pest management, machine operation and maintenance, soils and media and industry work practices.
Certificate II level trainees may work as garden centre sales assistants. At the core level, they will learn to:
- participate in occupational health and safety processes
- recognise plants
- practice nursery operations
- sell nursery products
- determine soil properties
From elective units, trainees may also gain skills in machine maintenance and operation, irrigation and drainage, chemicals' application, pest management, retail office technology, biosecurity and industry work practices.
Certificate II level trainees may work as grounds persons and assistant green keepers. At the core level, trainees will learn to:
- participate in occupational health and safety processes
- apply chemicals
- maintain irrigation systems
- operate basic machinery and equipment
- treat weeds and plant pests, diseases and disorders
- plant trees and shrubs
- prepare and establish turf surfaces
- participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Certificate IV level trainees will develop post-trade skills and knowledge to become specialists within the turf industry. NSW industries have advised that the Certificate IV traineeship in Sports Turf Management is only suitable for people who hold a relevant lower level qualification. The sports turf industry expects this qualification to enable trainees to work as:
- Assistant curator
- Assistant grounds manager
- Assistant Golf Course superintendent
- Head greenkeeper
From elective units, trainees may also gain skills in other chosen training package areas of study.
Competency Based Progression
Note: Competency based progression (CBP) applies to apprentices employed under any award that incorporates CBP provisions - for more information see Industrial arrangements.
Apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 48 months - direct entry
The rate of progress will be determined as follows:
| Stage of apprenticeship | Entry, progression and exit requirements |
| Stage 1 | Nil entry requirements. |
Progression to Stage 2 |
Apprentices progress to Stage 2:
or
|
Progression to Stage 3 |
Apprentices progress to Stage 3:
or
|
Progression to Stage 4 |
Apprentices progress to Stage 4:
or
|
Exit |
|
Apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 36 months - direct entry
The rate of progress will be determined as follows:
| Stage of apprenticeship | Entry, progression and exit requirements |
| Stage 1 | Nil entry requirements. |
Progression to Stage 2 |
Apprentices progress to Stage 2:
or
|
Progression to Stage 3 |
Apprentices progress to Stage 3:
or
|
Exit |
|
Advanced entry
The rate of progress for apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 36 months or part-time nominal term of 54 months - reduced from full-time nominal term of 48 months where the apprentice holds the lower level qualification specified in the VTO - will be determined as follows:
| Stage of apprenticeship | Entry, progression and exit requirements |
| Apprentices enter Stage 2 | |
Progression to Stage 3 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 3:
or
and
|
Progression to Stage 4 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 4:
or
and
|
Exit |
|
The rate of progress for apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 24 months or part-time nominal term of 36 months - reduced from full-time nominal term of 36 months where the apprentice holds the lower level qualification specified in the VTO - will be determined as follows:
| Stage of apprenticeship | Entry, progression and exit requirements |
| Apprentices enter Stage 2 | |
Progression to Stage 3 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 3:
or
and
|
Exit |
|
Apprenticeships
Horticulture - Landscape Construction - Apprenticeship#
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC30916 Certificate III in Landscape Construction |
| Terms of Apprenticeship | Full time:
Part time:
|
| School based | AHC30916 Certificate III in Landscape Construction The term for a school based apprenticeship will be the school based component plus 36 months full-time post-school, or until the relevant competencies are achieved. The school based component will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During the school based component of the apprenticeship the school-based apprentice must undertake a minimum of 144 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 3 months |
Horticulture - Parks and Gardens - Apprenticeship#
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC31016 Certificate III in Parks and Gardens |
Terms of Apprenticeship |
Full time:
Part time:
|
School based |
AHC31016 Certificate III in Parks and Gardens The term for a school based apprenticeship will be the school based component plus 36 months full-time post-school, or until the relevant competencies are achieved. The school based component will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During the school based component of the apprenticeship the school-based apprentice must undertake a minimum of 144 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary period |
Where the nominal terms is:
|
Horticulture - Production Nursery - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC31116 Certificate III in Production Nursery |
Terms of Apprenticeship |
Full time:
Part time:
|
School based |
AHC31116 Certificate III in Production Nursery The term for a school based apprenticeship will be the school based component plus 24 months full-time post-school, or until the relevant competencies are achieved. The school based component will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During the school based component of the apprenticeship the school-based apprentice must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Horticulture - Retail Nursery - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC31216 Certificate III in Retail Nursery |
Terms of Apprenticeship |
Full time:
Part time:
|
School based |
AHC31216 Certificate III in Retail Nursery The term for a school based apprenticeship will be the school based component plus 24 months full-time post-school, or until the relevant competencies are achieved. The school based component will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During the school based component of the apprenticeship the school-based apprentice must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Horticulture - Sports Turf Management - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 21 February 2020 |
| Qualification | AHC31319 Certificate III in Sports Turf Management |
Terms of Apprenticeship |
Full time:
Part time:
|
School based |
AHC31319 Certificate III in Sports Turf Management The term for a school based apprenticeship will be the school based component plus 36 months full-time post-school, or until the relevant competencies are achieved. The school based component will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During the school based component of the apprenticeship the school-based apprentice must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 3 months |
Traineeships
Agriculture - Agribusiness - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC41016 Certificate IV in Agribusiness |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Beekeeping - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 7 May 2019 |
| Qualification | AHC31818 Certificate III in Beekeeping |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
|
| School based | AHC31818 Certificate III in Beekeeping***see Approval Requirements - SBT The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 120 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Commercial Composting - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC32216 Certificate III in Commercial Composting |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Commercial Seed Processing - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC32116 Certificate III in Commercial Seed Processing |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Dairy Production - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualification | AHC30216 Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production) |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Feedlot Operations - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC33316 Certificate III in Feedlot Operations |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
|
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - General - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC20116 Certificate II in Agriculture AHC30116 Certificate III in Agriculture*** see Approval Requirements - SBTs The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days for Certificate II and 180 for Certificate III of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Irrigation - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 13 March 2020 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Organic Farming - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 15 February 2013 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC41616 Certificate IV in Organic Farming |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Pork Production - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualification | AHC30416 Certificate III in Pork Production |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Poultry Production - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated: | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications | AHC30516 Certificate III in Poultry Production |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Production Horticulture - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Rural Machinery Operations - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 7 May 2019 |
| Qualification | AHC31918 Certificate III in Rural Machinery Operations |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Rural Merchandising - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualification | AHC32716 Certificate III in Rural Merchandising |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Rural Operations - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC21216 Certificate II in Rural Operations The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Seed Production - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 15 February 2013 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Seed Testing - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 15 February 2013 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Agriculture - Shearing - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| School based | ACH21316 Certificate II in Shearing The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Wool Classing - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualification | AHC41316 Certificate IV in Wool Classing |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Wool Clip Presentation - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualification | AHC33016 Certificate III in Wool Clip Preparation |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Agriculture - Wool Handling - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 2 March 2012 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
Part-time: |
| School based | AHC21416 Certificate II in Wool Handling The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Conservation and Land Management - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 16 December 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
|
School based |
AHC21016 Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Conservation and Land Management - Conservation Earthworks - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 16 December 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC32316 Certificate III in Conservation Earthworks |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
|
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Conservation and Land Management - Indigenous Land Management - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 16 December 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC31516 Certificate III in Indigenous Land Management |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
|
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Conservation and Land Management - Lands, Parks and Wildlife - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 16 December 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC31616 Certificate III in Lands, Parks and Wildlife |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
|
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Conservation and Land Management - Natural Area Restoration - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 16 December 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC31716 Certificate III in Natural Area Restoration |
Terms of traineeship |
Full-time:
|
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Horticulture - Arboriculture - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC20516 Certificate II in Arboriculture *** see Approval Requirements - SBT The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Horticulture - Arboriculture – Climbing - Traineeship*
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications |
|
| Terms of traineeships | Full time:
Part-time: |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Horticulture - Arboriculture – Climbing and EWP - Traineeship*
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 13 April 2017 |
| Qualifications |
|
| Terms of traineeships | Full time:
Part-time: |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Horticulture - Floriculture - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC21516 Certificate II in Floriculture
The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Horticulture - Horticulture - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC20416 Certificate II in Horticulture The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary periods |
Where the nominal term is:
|
Horticulture - Landscaping - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC21616 Certificate II in Landscaping |
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC21616 Certificate II in Landscaping The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 144 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Horticulture - Parks and Gardens - Traineeship*
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2016 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC20616 Certificate II in Parks and Gardens |
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC20616 Certificate II in Parks and Gardens The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 144 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Horticulture - Production Nursery - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC20716 Certificate II in Production Nursery |
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC20716 Certificate II in Production Nursery The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Horticulture - Retail Nursery - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2011 |
| Updated | 7 November 2016 |
| Qualification | AHC20816 Certificate II in Retail Nursery |
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC20816 Certificate II in Retail Nursery The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |
Horticulture - Sports Turf Management - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
| Date of effect | 9 September 2016 |
| Updated | 21 February 2020 |
Qualifications |
|
Terms of traineeship |
Full time:
Part-time: |
School based |
AHC20919 Certificate II in Sports Turf Management The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 100 days of on-the-job training. |
| Probationary period | 2 months |