The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is offering a new horticulture certificate course in organic horticulture at its Richmond campus.
The programme aims to meet the demands of people wishing to understand organic systems and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage an organic property. It offers students the opportunity to graduate with two qualifications, the national certificate in organic horticulture level 4 approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and unit standards- assessed, and the NMIT certificate in organic horticulture that includes Te Tirito o Waitangi and work placement components.
The programme is aimed at people of all ages, and stages seeking a career pathway in organics. Applicants under 20 require a minimum of 3 years secondary schooling or equivalent, with school certificate passes in English and Mathematics desirable. There are no entry requirements for applicants over 20, but a good general knowledge, life experience and/or evidence of past successful study is preferable.
The 22-week (incl holidays) full-time course covers aspects which will always be needed in any area of organic horticulture. Core subjects include the philosophy, history and development of organics, soil, compost, pest and disease managemnet and planning of organic design systems. The total number of places offerd is 16, with part-time study also an option.
This new programme has been designed in conjunction with the Horticulture Industry Training Organisation to meet the growing demand for credible training in organics. Whilst the Richmond campus of NMIT is already offering many of the subjects included in the new course, it is well positioned to expand the programme as demand grows.
Duncan Burns, NMIT programme coorinator believes the programme offers an exciting career opportunity for people to study in Nelson where there is already an established horticultural industry coupled with a rapidly expanding organic sector and demand for organic produce.
The course aims to offer career opportunities in the industry in areas such as production, advisory services and the running of certified organic businesses.
Students may be eligible for student allowances with accomodation available at Franklyn Hall. Nelson Marlborough Institude of Technology is the largest tertiary institiute at the top of the South Island. Established in 1904, each year nearly 3,000 students study at one of the three campuses in Nelson, Richmond and Blenheim.
Contact for further information Heather Read, at the Richmond Campus. Tel: 03 544 7796, Fax 03 544 7756, Email info.richmond@nmit.ac.nz, Website www.nmit.ac.nz.
