Horticulture Technician Foundation Certificate at Vancouver Island University

Programme overview

Get ready for a rewarding career in horticulture. The Horticulture Technician program prepares you for many jobs in the field. And you get to train in working gardens and greenhouses.

Faculty: Trades and Applied Technology | Duration: 9 months | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Courses include Greenhouse Environment and Control, Horticultural Botany, Introductory Plant Identification, Landscape Maintenance and Turfgrass Management, Landscape Construction Techniques, Greenhouse Production, Practicum I, Field Trips I.

Career pathways

Graduates of this program may find employment in the following industries: Roles include landscape maintenance and installation companies;; floriculture and vegetable greenhouse operations;; ornamental and forest seedling nurseries;; garden centres and horticultural retail outlets;; landscape design firms;; turf enterprises;; golf courses;; horticultural supply companies;.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

General Trades admission requirements apply.; English 12 with minimum “C” grade, or equivalent, or successful completion of English assessment test.; Minimum “C” grade in one of Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 11, or successful completion of assessment test.; Letter, at time of application, indicating reasons for applying to the program and outlining any previous horticultural experience, as well as future career goals.; Interview.; Fitness required to participate in physical aspects of the program and industry.; Notes on Admission; Availability and willingness to participate in plant roster duty on weekends.; Previous experience in commercial or industrial horticulture is recommended.; Successful candidates will be selected from qualified applicants on the basis of the personal...

Domestic applicants: CAD 5,193 for the whole programme. Tuition (10 months x $519.36 per month); Fees. Tuition only; excludes student, activity, health plan and other mandatory fees. Source

Most programmes start in September; January intake is offered for some bachelor's degrees and other programmes; many programmes offer alternative start dates throughout the year.

Applications for most academic programs open October 1 in the year before the program start date (applications for programs beginning September 2027 open October 1, 2026); deadlines vary by program.

Application fee: domestic undergraduate $46.98, domestic graduate $121.86, international all programs $156.06 (non-refundable); no application fee for Adult Basic Education.

Apply through the official page: https://www.viu.ca/apply

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