Current Size: 100%
Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship |
School of Applied Technology |
Program Availability |
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Type:
Apprenticeship Certificate
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Campus:
North
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Program Code:
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Length: Twenty-four-week in-school session |
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CONTACT INFORMATION: humber.ca/appliedtechnology | 416.675.6622 ext. 4392 | apprenticeship@humber.ca
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This intensive Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship program stresses practical skills through applied study at the Humber construction laboratory, greenhouse and the Humber Arboretum. The in-college component of the program coincides with the typical slowdown in the industry from November through March.
Note: All students entering this program must have received a tetanus injection or booster shot within the last 10 years.
In Canada, where almost three-quarters of households have a lawn or garden, sales of landscaping products, equipment and plants is a billion-dollar industry. Earn a living with your green thumb and construction skills in a range of such growth industries as landscape, horticulture, construction, maintenance, irrigation, lighting and lawn care. A complete list of job opportunities, career positions, and salaries is available at horttrades.com.
Humber College has some of the best facilities for delivery of this type of education. The Humber Arboretum is a 250-acre botanical garden that surrounds the campus and includes ornamental gardens, woodland gardens, wildlife gardens, and ecologically diverse environments centred on the west branch of the Humber River. The Arboretum serves as a unique ‘living classroom’ for plant studies, construction, arboriculture and horticultural skills. Our new construction lab is housed in a weather protected 8000 square foot facility that allows construction of full-scale structures such as decks, gazebos, retaining walls, and water features. We also have excellent computer labs for teaching our CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) courses.
We teach Dynascape which is CADD software that is widely used in the landscape industry. Students can also access AutoCAD as an extra course. Even though CADD training is not part of the apprenticeship curriculum, apprentices can access this training either through our continuing education (CE) program or on a part-time basis through the Landscape Technician diploma program.
Graduates receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Humber is proud to partner with Landscape Ontario, which has over 2,000 member firms, many of which support apprenticeship training. These firms also provide speakers for various classes and provide students with industry experience and knowledge.
Non-academic admission criteria may also be required.
Note: This trade is regulated by the Apprenticeship and Certification Act.
Applicants are required to register through their local Apprenticeship Branch Office of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is now in place in some Ontario school boards. OYAP allows students to complete high school while working part-time as a registered apprentice. Contact your guidance counsellor or technical director for more information.
Humber also offers the Landscape Technician diploma program 01521, which offers training in computer drawing, landscape design and further technical training. Laddering possibilities also exist for successful apprenticeship graduates to obtain credits (equivalent to almost one year) toward the technician diploma.
The 2012/2013 fee for this program is
- Basic $650
- Advanced $650.
For more information visit Fees and Financial Assistance.
Fees are subject to change.
Trainees will need work clothes appropriate for outside use; gloves; CSA-approved Green Patch safety boots, hard hat and safety glasses; and a pair of secateurs (approximate cost $260).
Humber has a reputation for excellence and the students of the program have achieved numerous accomplishments over the years including:
Humber has a reputation for excellence and the students of the program have achieved numerous accomplishments over the years including:
Basic Session (30 hours/week over 12 weeks) | ||
| Course Code | Course | Credits |
| HCAP 110 | Plant Identification 1Plant Identification 1Course Code: HCAP 110 Credits: 3 This is a thorough study of 80 to 100 ornamental plants commonly used in the landscape industry in Ontario. The student is required to learn proper nomenclature, individual and group plant characteristics, cultural requirements and potential landscape use, through studies in the classroom and in the Humber Arboretum. | 3 |
| HCAP 116 | Pest ControlPest ControlCourse Code: HCAP 116 Credits: 6 Plant pest and disorder identification covering a variety of plant material categories (both woody and herbaceous), utilizing plant health-care and integrated pest management principles. Control measure selection to reflect current legislation, application methods and equipment selection, treatment preparation, equipment calibration, treatment application, equipment maintenance, materials disposal and record keeping are all integral components of this course. Upon successful completion, the student may choose to write the Ontario Provincial Pesticide Exterminator licensing examination. | 6 |
| HCAP 119 | Turf Management 1Turf Management 1Course Code: HCAP 119 Credits: 2 This course presents basic maintenance practices required for turf grass care in Ontario. Turf grass identification, fertilizing procedures, quality monitoring and record keeping are important components. Also detailed turf mowing practices, including equipment selection, calibration and usage, are covered. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, according to government legal requirements will be introduced. | 2 |
| HCAP 120 | Plant SciencePlant ScienceCourse Code: HCAP 120 Credits: 2 An introductory course in plant biology, soils and the plant-soil relationship; the structure and function of the main plant organs, the impact of environmental change on plant growth and health, the assessment of soil and soilless media quality for optimal plant growth, the determination of nutrient deficiencies and complete transplanting procedures for woody and herbaceous plants are all course components. | 2 |
| HCAP 121 | Landscape Construction 1Landscape Construction 1Course Code: HCAP 121 Credits: 4 This practical course exposes the student to the handling and installation of modular precast concrete landscape paving and wall units, and landscape timber wall components according to pertinent safety legislation and safe workplace practices, municipal standards and codes. The selection, care and use of the required tools, materials identification and selection, sub-grade and base preparation, and installation procedures are all completed in an outdoor lab environment. | 4 |
| HCAP 123 | Landscape Equipment MaintenanceLandscape Equipment MaintenanceCourse Code: HCAP 123 Credits: 2 This practical course presents scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance procedures for powered equipment typically used in the landscape industry. Upon completion, students will describe and demonstrate basic scheduled, preventative and on-going maintenance procedures for powered horticultural equipment, according to respective federal, provincial and municipal legal requirements and current safety procedures. | 2 |
| HCAP 126 | Workplace SafetyWorkplace SafetyCourse Code: HCAP 126 Credits: 2 Job site safety is the main theme throughout this course. Students are presented with the requirements of all governing legislation and regulations, including the use of all mandatory personal protection equipment. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic control, the impact of environmental extremes and emergency remedial actions are all included areas of study. | 2 |
| HCAP 127 | Plant Materials 1Plant Materials 1Course Code: HCAP 127 Credits: 3 Garden and grounds maintenance procedures are the main components of this course. The on-site storage, installation and care of annuals, perennials, groundcovers and woody nursery stock are also covered in detail. The care of the required tools and equipment, and recycling/disposal methods are also included. | 3 |
| HCAP 152 | Trade CalculationsTrade CalculationsCourse Code: HCAP 152 Credits: 4 Basic land surveying and measuring procedures employed in the landscape industry are introduced. This includes all aspects of site interpretation, measurement and layout. Mathematic methods and calculations typically used in the industry, in both systems of measurement, are studied in detail. The use of appropriate survey and measuring equipment is practiced outdoors and in laboratory classes. | 4 |
| HCAP 161 | Workplace CommunicationsWorkplace CommunicationsCourse Code: HCAP 161 Credits: 2 Today, proper, safe job performance depends heavily upon accurate, concise and clear job-site communications. This course helps students improve their oral, written, hand and listening communication skills so they may function more effectively as part of a job crew/team. Problem solving, personal development and taking responsibility are also topics of discussion. | 2 |
| HCAP 330 | First AidFirst AidCourse Code: HCAP 330 Credits: 1 St. John Ambulance first aid certification. | 1 |
Advanced Session (30 hours/week over 12 weeks) | Course Code | Course | Credits |
| HCAP 318 | IrrigationIrrigationCourse Code: HCAP 318 Credits: 2 This course deals with the selection, installation, operation and maintenance of irrigation systems necessary to promote vigorous and healthy plant and turf grass growth. | 2 |
| HCAP 324 | Landscape Construction 2Landscape Construction 2Course Code: HCAP 324 Credits: 7 This course is a continuation of HCAP 121 Landscape Construction 1. This is a practical study of the uses of natural stone in the landscape industry. Also, all typical landscape applications of lumber and timber are presented along with the interpretation of the appropriate plans and specifications. | 7 |
| HCAP 331 | Plant Identification 2Plant Identification 2Course Code: HCAP 331 Credits: 3 This course is a continuation of HCAP 110 Plant Identification 1, and consists of further study of landscape plants commonly used in the landscape industry in Ontario. The student is required to learn proper nomenclature, individual and group plant characteristics, cultural requirements and potential landscape use, through studies in the classroom and in the Humber Arboretum. | 3 |
| HCAP 332 | Plant Materials 2Plant Materials 2Course Code: HCAP 332 Credits: 2 This course covers the installation of landscape plant materials in unique situations such as in sidewalks, planters and on roof-top gardens, including post-planting aftercare. A practical study of complete pruning procedures typically employed in the landscape industry, including the care and maintenance of pruning tools and equipment. The need for and provision of winter care is also studied. | 2 |
| HCAP 333 | Turf Management 2Turf Management 2Course Code: HCAP 333 Credits: 3 This course is a continuation of HCAP119 Turf Management 1. Students develop a working knowledge of turf grass establishment and cultivation practices including monitoring turf grass quality, plant health care, and integrated pest management (IPM) techniques used in landscape construction (Softscape installation), and grounds/golf course maintenance operations, according to respective federal, provincial, and municipal legal requirements. | 3 |
| HCAP 334 | Plant PropagationPlant PropagationCourse Code: HCAP 334 Credits: 4 This is a practical course covering typical methods of propagation employed in the landscape nursery industry. Students receive hands-on practice in Humber's greenhouse in propagation by seeding, cuttings, grafting, layering and division. | 4 |
| HCAP 335 | Plant ProductionPlant ProductionCourse Code: HCAP 335 Credits: 4 This course covers the operation of a production nursery. The daily operational procedures necessary to meet the cultural requirements for all stages of plant development, after propagation and installation, are included. | 4 |
| HCAP 336 | Site Layout and GradingSite Layout and GradingCourse Code: HCAP 336 Credits: 2 This course deals with site layout processes for all typical landscape construction features. Environmentally sensitive site layout and drainage, including the placement and control of grading control devices and elevation change is covered in detail, along with the interpretation of pertinent plans and specifications. The use of measuring devices and surveying equipment commonly used in the industry will also be discussed. | 2 |
| HCAP 337 | Plan Reading and Quantity TakeoffPlan Reading and Quantity TakeoffCourse Code: HCAP 337 Credits: 2 This course covers the interpretation of all components of landscape construction plans and specifications typically found in the industry. Also, upon completion, the apprentice will be able to establish accurate quantities of materials and estimate labour and equipment time required to complete residential landscape jobs of basic to medium complexity. | 2 |
Humber offers pathways from Ontario college diplomas to Humber degrees. Find out where your diploma can take you.
You can also choose another postsecondary institution. Humber has formal articulation agreements indicating the specific transfer arrangements from a Humber program to a particular degree program, as well as general policies on admissions at specific institutions. Click here to find out more.
