City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Horticulture (Production Horticulture)

This qualification is designed primarily for learners who wish to develop practical skills and knowledge in production horticulture skills to confirm occupational competence in specific job roles including team leader or supervisor in:-
Plant propagation or production (nursery)
Commercial food crop production (Salads, fruit, vegetables)
Community supported or shared production
Garden centre/retail outlet
Wholesaling or distribution of crops
Organic production
Contractor providing services to the sector

It is ideal for learners who organise, oversee and report on routine workplace tasks and who may use this qualification as a stepping stone to higher different levels and onto relevant apprenticeships and career paths.

The qualification includes mandatory units to establish and promote employment skills such as Health and Safety, Personal Performance and Effective working relationships along with promoting good environmental practice and communicating within the workplace

Optional units may include selection from some of the following units
Site clearing and preparation of growing media (including soil) for establishing crops;
Planning and facilitating the establishment of crops in growing media (including soil);
Maintaining and promoting the growth of crops to include managing of nutrients, water, competing growth and past and disease;
Facilitating the harvesting, collecting and dispatch of products;
Planning and facilitating propagation by seed and vegetative methods to include collection of plant material and aftercare;
Organising the delivery of reliable customer service, improving customer relationship and resolving customer service problems;
Preparing, monitoring and adjusting environmental conditions for protected crops or plants

All units include a requirement for learners to facilitate the carrying out preparation of the tasks, to demonstrate safe working practice throughout and to work to ensure protection of the environment by minimising damage and managing waste.

All units include a knowledge section requiring the learner to demonstrate an understanding of the subject beyond that required to carry out the work.

Learners will choose combined units to meet their learning and development needs. This qualification is a Diploma requiring achievement of a total of 57 credits, 32 from the mandatory units and a minimum of 25 from the optional units.