City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Horticulture (Production Horticulture)

Further Details
Course Code	LA11899
Location	Distance Learning
Duration	Open or Distance Learning, The qualification is gained through units and candidates are encouraged to work at their own pace following individual programmes of learning. The length of time taken to complete will depend upon many factors but we expect most candidates to need between 12 and 20 months.
Department	Horticulture & Landscaping, Sustainability, Conservation & The Environment
Start Date	Roll On, Roll Off
End Date	Roll On, Roll Off

Course Overview

This qualification allows the learner to learn, develop and practise the skills required for employment and/or career progression in the horticulture sector by developing high occupational skills and good subject knowledge in a range of horticultural skills appropriate to occupational competence in specific job roles including:

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 carry out routine workplace tasks and who may use this qualification as a stepping stone to higher levels and onto relevant apprenticeships and career paths.

The qualification includes mandatory units to establish and maintain employment skills such as Health and Safety, Personal Performance and Effective working relationships.

Vocational skills within the qualification include: -

Using and maintaining a range of equipment such as non‐powered and hand held powered, pedestrian controlled powered, chippers and / or shredders
Preparing and operating a tractor and attachments, maintaining equipment and machinery
Growing, harvesting and transporting crops
Site clearing and preparation of growing media (including soil) for establishing crops
The establishment of crops in growing media (including soil)
Maintaining the growth of crops to include use of nutrients, water, competing growth and pest and disease.
Harvesting, collecting and dispatch of products
Propagation by seed and vegetative methods to include collection of plant material and aftercare
Delivery of reliable customer service
Managing environmental conditions for protected crops or plants

All units include a requirement for learners to carry out preparation for 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 37 credits; 21 from the mandatory units and a further 16 from the optional units selected

Entry Requirements

Suitable learners aged 16+ are invited to join anytime of the year. It is essential you are currently employed in this area of learning and fully supported by your employer.
All applicants will undertake a thorough training needs analysis to ensure that the correct course and levels are chosen.

How you will be assessed

Your College Assessor will visit the workplace which must comply with working in a safe environment. Assessments will take place to assess competence and underpinning knowledge. Evidence of competence and knowledge will be through a range of methods agreed between you, your assessor and your employer.
On-line support is available through a virtual learning environment.

Learning takes the form of a mixture of observations in the workplace, written and oral questioning, job sheets, photographs, video and witness statements
Accreditation of prior learning is also considered, but this is time bound.

Your future career path

The qualification is part of an Apprenticeship Framework or is a free-standing qualification. It may be used as a stepping stone to higher level such as a level 3 award, certificate or diploma in a related area subject to being in a position to include some management within the job role.

Cost

Please contact our employer engagement team on 0300 30 30 006 or email employers@cambria.ac.uk to discuss funding eligibility.