Gaertner Ausbildung

Beliebter Kurs nun auch in Brisbane möglich

Cert III Horticulture student at BNIT Grovely Campus.

BSA-accredited irrigation licenses at Brisbane North Institute of TAFE

Since mid-2008, Brisbane North Institute of TAFE (BNIT) Leading Vocational Teacher in Horticulture, Kerry Drinkwater, has been negotiating on behalf of the peak industry body for irrigation, Irrigation Australia Ltd (IAL), with Building Services Authority (BSA) in an attempt to persuade BSA to recognise BNIT's
Certificate III in Horticulture for licensing purposes.

On 29 May this year, a change to legislation was proclaimed.

"This opens the way for irrigation installers and contractors to become licensed under the BSA legislation," said Mr Drinkwater.

"It has also resulted in BNIT being recognised as a preferred supplier of irrigation training for IAL's Queensland branch. Our assessments will now be accepted by IAL for their own certification processes."

Existing irrigation workers will be able to have their experience and skills assessed and recognised via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) services, which can count considerably towards obtaining qualifications.

"We recently ran 'Efficient Use of Irrigation' programs for IAL in Brisbane and Cairns, and there are additional workshops scheduled for September and October," said Mr Drinkwater.

"There will no doubt be plenty to follow after that, so those people interested in obtaining this license should keep their ears to the ground for more information."

BNIT's Certificate III in Horticulture provides the skills required in most sectors of the horticulture industry, including a sound foundation in horticulture principles such as soil, water, plant nutrition, propagation and tending of plants,
control of pests and diseases and the use of plants in a variety of situations.

The Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscape) provides training in planting, irrigation, drainage, structures and garden features, as well as occupational health and safety issues relevant to the horticulture industry.

Both programs are held over six months full-time or one to two years part-time, with the option of following on into a Diploma of Horticulture. Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscape) can also follow on to a Structural Landscape Licence (BSA), and fast track options are available for those with prior experience in
the landscape industry.