Horticulture and Nursery Project

Menu: Click across the green arrows to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.

Case for change

There are a large number of industry subsectors within the Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management (AHC) industry, covered by almost 900 units of competency across 97 nationally endorsed qualifications. Production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery are three closely related subsectors, making up a portion of this industry, sharing similar challenges and opportunities. For instance, retail and production nurseries struggle to find qualified staff.

Due to the nature and scale of AHC, industry representatives have recommended a strategic approach to reviewing the Training Package. This involves identifying and reviewing units by their sector classification rather than by their listing in qualifications. This approach should significantly increase the speed of review of all qualifications, units of competency and skill sets within the AHC Training Package, while minimising the burden of voluntary support on industry.

As production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery are part of the same supply chain it would make sense to review units relating to these areas as a group. In this way there is greater scope to consider career pathways and how they might be better supported by the qualifications, skill sets and units. It will also allow industry experts to contribute knowledge across as many areas as is relevant.

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project out of the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Industry Sector IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work 2019-2022 (see pages 32-43).

Skills Impact and the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) and the Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping and Conservation & Land Management IRC will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.

Download Project Proposal (see pages 32-43)

Project Plan

Whether it be the roasted vegetables in your dinner or the potted plant decorating your house, every plant grown for human use follows a horticultural journey. This journey involves the work of a series of industry sub sectors, each comprised of different practices and job roles, but all intrinsically connected with horticultural practices. This project will cover the whole value chain, from the nursery production sector, propagating and growing plants; to production horticulture businesses, growing and harvesting fruits, vegetables or nuts; or to retail nurseries selling plants to the public.

Across the value chain, the skills and knowledge required to work within these sectors are often transferable. Given their close relation, many of the challenges and opportunities facing these sectors are similar or related, and are driving industry to adopt new technologies, process and operations. Robotics are increasingly used for watering and picking crops; drones are emerging as a way to identify disease; and forecasting crop yield potential is coming along in leaps and bounds as collecting and processing a wide range of data becomes easier. Such developments require higher levels of digital skills to enable workers and managers to engage with equipment, software and data.

Given the high level of importance and the complexity of these sectors it is essential that skills standards be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. This project has been proposed to review units across the sectors of production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery. This will allow for the review of units to take into consideration ways in which transferable skills can be acknowledged, strengthening career paths across these sectors.

Project Scope

The aim of this project is to review the nationally-endorsed units of competency that align with the industry sectors associated with production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery industries. There are currently 13 qualifications and 67 units of competency under review for this project.

 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.

Relevant Occupations

Examples of job roles that relate to these qualifications include:

  • Crop manager
  • Dispatch manager
  • Farmers and farm managers
  • Field worker
  • Gardener and retail nursery maintainer
  • Green life buyer
  • Head grower
  • Horticulturalist
  • Integrated pest manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Merchandiser
  • Nursery manager
  • Picker, pruner and packer
  • Production nursery assistants or workers
  • Production nursery irrigation manager
  • Quality assurance and trouble shooter
  • Retail nursery sales assistant
  • Retail nursery stock supervisor
  • Sales manager
  • Section manager
  • Site manager
  • Specialist consultants

Timeline

The project will take approximately 12 months to be completed. A number of industry consultation workshops will be held across Australia after the initial SME workshop(s) have been completed.

July 2019
Initial scoping

August – mid September 2019
Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units

mid-September – mid October 2019
Drafts available for broad consultation

December 2019
Validation of final drafts

January – February 2020
Finalisation of Training Package components

June 2020
Submission for endorsement

Project Team
Cathy BevenIndustry Skills Standards Specialist, Skills Impact [email protected]
Andrew HorganIndustry Engagement Manager, Skills Impact  [email protected]
Peter MillerIndustry Skills Standard Contractor

 

Subject Matter Experts

Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised qualifications, skill sets and units. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) is identified by industry as a person with expert knowledge about how to complete particular tasks or jobs. SMEs are often identified during the project planning stage but may be included later in the project as necessary.

The input received from SMEs helps shape the AHC Training Package so that it meets industry needs and produces real-life job outcomes. Specifically, the input from an SME contributes to the project by:

  • ensuring current and future industry needs are addressed through qualifications;
  • identifying that the skills and knowledge for key job roles are reflected in units of competency;
  • identifying that core skills and knowledge are reflected in qualifications, while ensuring that qualifications can be contextualised through the selection of elective units of competency for different job role outcomes.

An SME will usually attend at least two face-to-face workshops, the location and dates for which will be determined by the project management team during the planning phase. SMEs will also be required to read and provide feedback on draft materials. This work will be undertaken on a voluntary basis. In total, approximately 25 hours will be required.

All reasonable out-of-pocket travel and accommodation expenses for members attending SME Working Group meetings will be met by Skills Impact as per its guidelines for travel and associated expenses.

If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected].

Opportunities for stakeholder input

Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The documents will be drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in September 2019, and again for validation of final drafts in December 2019. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the qualifications, skill set and units. It is important that training provides a skilled and flexible workforce for the future. The qualifications, skill sets and units need to reflect real work experience. So if you work in the sector, Skills Impact would love your input and help. Please register your interest for project updates and consultation opportunities by following the newsletter subscription link below. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project manager, Cathy Beven on 03 9321 3526 or [email protected].

Stakeholder Consultation Process

A list of key stakeholder organisations has been identified for this project. Skills Impact will ensure contact is made with each of these organisations during the development of this project to seek their involvement and their views on the draft qualifications, skill sets and units.

If you are aware of an organisation that you think should be involved, please encourage them to contact the project team and/or direct them to this webpage.

Of course, all and any interested industry participants are encouraged to engage in the consultation of this project, when the draft qualifications, skill sets, and units are available for feedback via this webpage and workshops that take place around Australia. Consultation is not limited to the organisations on this list. This list simply helps us to identify those organisations that, because of their industry role, size or specialty, are likely to have a key interest in the development and outcomes of this project.

The Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will oversee this project, as part of their responsibilities to support engagement with the sector, and to ensure projects meet industry stakeholder needs.

Related projects

Projects are currently underway (in 2019-20) to review and improve qualifications and units of competency related to Agronomy, Biosecurity and Emergency Response, Carbon & Agribusiness Management, Horticulture Technology (Irrigation, Protected Horticulture), Medicinal Crops, Viticulture, Arboriculture and Sport Turf Management. Click here for information on these Projects.

The projects undertaken during 2017-19 to review and improve AHC Training Package components in Ag Machinery – Safety & Technology, Pest Management and Ag Chemical Handling. The revised qualifications, skill sets and units of competency, that were developed as part of these projects, are published on training.gov.au and available for delivery by registered training organisations (RTOs).

 

 

Development

The skills and knowledge required to work within the production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery sectors are often transferable. Many of the challenges and opportunities facing these sectors are similar or related, and are driving industry to adopt new technologies, process and operations.

The work activities of those involved in the production of plants for human food, fibre and decoration are being reviewed to identify the similar skills standards. This information will help to update the national qualifications and units of competency that support job roles within these sectors. They are being revised to support flexible career paths and providing an integrated approach to skills needs across the supply chain.

Subject Matter Experts are being consulted to review the structure of the qualifications that align to job roles in these sectors. In total, 13 qualifications and 67 units of competency are under review. Feedback so far suggests some qualifications may need to be merged into one qualification with a wider scope, to allow industry to address urgent skills needs and create new job outcomes. For example, the Certificate II qualifications in Nursery Production, Retail nursery and Floriculture could be merged into a single Certificate II in Nursery Operations.

Consultation Workshops – Registrations Open!

Revised drafts of these documents will become available for broad consideration and feedback from mid-September to mid-October 2019 (under the ‘Drafts Available’ menu above). We welcome your feedback and advice on the draft skills standards in this time. Face-to-face consultation workshops will also take place across states and territories, with a webinar planned for those unable to attend in person. Registrations for these workshops are now open. Register for a workshop near you by clicking the corresponding link.

Face-to-face consultation workshops

Tues 17 Sept ‘19, 2.00pm-4.00pm AEDT – Mildura – register here

Mon 23 Sept ‘19, 1.00pm – 3.00pm AEDT – Launceston – register here

Wed 25 Sept ’19, 2.00pm-4.00pm ACST – Adelaide – register here

Thurs 26 Sept ’19, 2.00pm-4.00pm AEDST – Sydney – register here

Tues 8 Oct ’19, 2.00pm-4.00pm AEST – Brisbane – register here

Wed 9 Oct ’19, 2.00pm-4.00pm AEST – Cairns – register here

Thurs 10 Oct ’19, 2.00pm-4.00pm AEDST – Melbourne – register here

Tue 15 Oct ’19, 2.00pm-4.00pm ACST – Darwin – register here

Wed 16 Oct ’19, 2.00pm-4.00pm AWST – Perth – register here

Consultation webinar

Mon 14 Oct ’19, 3.00pm-4.30pm AWST – Webinar – register here

 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.

 

Drafts Available

The sectors of production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery are intrinsically linked, making up parts of the same supply chain. As such they share many transferable skills and are faced with many of the same opportunities and challenges, which are driving industry to adopt new technologies, process and operations. These sectors are essential in providing plants for use as food, fibre and decoration, so it’s important that nationally endorsed qualifications are up to date and meet the needs of industry across every step of the process.

Qualifications, skill sets and units of competency relating to production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery have been reviewed so that they reflect the strong correlation between the sectors and support clear and flexible career paths. Industry consultation suggested the merging of some qualifications to give graduates broader career options, with room for elective units to address specialist skills.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft qualifications, skill sets units that were made available on this webpage for feedback from 16 September – 31 October 2019. 

During this time, feedback was collected via the online feedback hub, nine face-to-face consultation workshops, one webinar, and email. The drafts, including any comments made on the feedback hub, are still available for viewing below.

Feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which are expected to be available for industry validation in December 2019. A summary of the feedback and how it was addressed in the final drafts will also be available.

Qualifications & Skill Sets

The skills and knowledge required to work within the production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery sectors are often transferable. Subject Matter Experts were consulted to review the structure of the qualifications that align to job roles in these sectors. During this review process, it was suggested that some qualifications may need to be merged into one qualification with a wider scope, to allow industry to address urgent skills needs and create new job outcomes.

Discussion Paper

 Click here to download a discussion paper, which sets out the potential for further amalgamation of the Horticulture, Production Horticulture, Floriculture, Production Nursery and Retail Nursery qualifications. Skills Impact are seeking feedback regarding this discussion paper during public consideration and feedback from 16 September – 18 October 2019. Please email your feedback to [email protected].

 

Code and titleProposed changes Link
AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Nursery OperationsNew qualification, replacing AHC20716 Certificate II in Production Nursery and AHC20816 Certificate II in Retail Nursery.View draft qualification
AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Production HorticultureNew qualification, replacing AHC20316 Certificate II in Production Horticulture and AHC21516 Certificate II in Floriculture.View draft qualification
AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Nursery OperationsNew qualification, replacing AHC31116 Certificate III in Production Nursery and AHC31216 Certificate III in Retail Nursery.View draft qualification
AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Production HorticultureNew qualification, replacing AHC30616 Certificate III in Production Horticulture and AHC33216 Certificate III in Floriculture.View draft qualification
AHC4XX20 Certificate IV in Production HorticultureUpdated qualification, replacing AHC40316 Certificate IV in Production Horticulture. Qualification description updated and major change to packaging rules. Major edits to core and elective units lists.View draft qualification
AHC4XX20 Certificate IV in Nursery OperationsNew qualification, replacing AHC40616 Certificate IV in Production Nursery and AHC40716 Certificate IV in Retail Nursery, qualification includes entry requirements.View draft qualification
AHC5XX20 Diploma of Production HorticultureUpdated qualification, replacing AHC50316 Diploma of in Production Horticulture. Qualification description updated and major change to packaging rules. Major edits to core and elective units lists.View draft qualification
AHC5XX20 Diploma of Production Nursery ManagementUpdated qualification, replacing AHC50816 Diploma of Production Nursery Management. Qualification description updated, entry requirements added, and major change to packaging rules. Major edits to core and elective units lists.View draft qualification

 

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

 

AHC50916 Diploma of Retail Nursery ManagementQualification recommended for deletion due to low enrolment numbers.View on training.gov.au

 

 

AHCSS00064 Production Horticulture Administration Supervisor Skill SetView draft skill set
AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Machinery Skill SetView draft skill set
AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Manager Skill SetView draft skill set
AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Supervisor Skill SetView draft skill set
AHCSS00068 Production Horticulture Technology Skill SetView draft skill set

 

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

 

 

Units of Competency

Proposed changes to the following units include:

  • Minor changes to application.
  • Minor edits to elements in some units and various changes and edits to Performance Criteria (PC). Details about which elements and PCs have been edited or changed is summarised in the table below.
  • Inclusion of foundation skills.
  • Assessment Requirements updated to include the frequency and or volume to performance evidence.
  • Minor edits to performance evidence and knowledge evidence in some units.
  • Specific conditions provided within the assessment conditions.

AHCNSY101 Support nursery workView draft unit
AHCNSY201 Pot up plantsView draft unit
AHCNSY202 Care for nursery plantsView draft unit
AHCNSY203 Undertake propagation activitiesView draft unit
AHCNSY204 Maintain indoor plantsView draft unit
AHCNSY301 Maintain nursery plantsView draft unit
AHCNSY302 Receive and dispatch nursery productsView draft unit
AHCNSY303 Install and maintain plant displaysView draft unit
AHCNSY304 Deliver and promote sales of plantsView draft unit
AHCNSY305 Prepare specialised plantsView draft unit
AHCNSY306 Implement a propagation planView draft unit
AHCNSY3XX Operate fertigation equipmentView draft unit
AHCNSY401 Plan a growing-on programView draft unit
AHCNSY402 Plan a propagation programView draft unit

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

 

AHCPCM201 Recognise plantsView draft unit
AHCPCM203 Fell small treesView draft unit
AHCPCM302 Provide information on plants and their cultureView draft unit
AHCPCM304 Report on health and condition of treesView draft unit
AHCPCM3XX Implement a plant nutrition programView draft unit
AHCPCM401 Recommend plants and cultural practicesView draft unit
AHCPCM402 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition programView draft unit
AHCPCM403 Implement an integrated pest management programView draft unit
AHCPCM501 Diagnose plant health problemsView draft unit
AHCPCM502 Collect and classify plantsView draft unit
AHCPCM503 Specify plants for landscapesView draft unit
AHCPCM504 Design specialised landscapeView draft unit
AHCPCM505 Conduct environment and food safety risk assessment of plant nutrition and soil fertility programsView draft unit
AHCPCM506 Develop an integrated pest management programView draft unit
AHCPCM5XX Apply knowledge of plant physiology to horticultural practicesView draft unit
AHCPCM601 Develop and implement a plant health management strategyView draft unit

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

 

AHCPHT101 Support horticultural productionView draft unit
AHCPHT202 Carry out canopy maintenanceView draft unit
AHCPHT204 Undertake field budding and graftingView draft unit
AHCPHT205 Carry out post-harvest operationsView draft unit
AHCPHT206 Handle and move mushroom boxesView draft unit
AHCPHT207 Perform mushroom substrate process tasksView draft unit
AHCPHT208 Water mushroom cropsView draft unit
AHCPHT209 Produce trellis dried grapesView draft unit
AHCPHT2XX Plant horticultural cropsView draft unit
AHCPHT303 Implement a post-harvest programView draft unit
AHCPHT304 Harvest horticultural crops mechanicallyView draft unit
AHCPHT306 Establish horticultural cropsView draft unit
AHCPHT307 Prepare raw materials and compost feedstockView draft unit
AHCPHT308 Prepare value added compost-based productsView draft unit
AHCPHT309 Supervise mushroom substrate preparationView draft unit
AHCPHT310 Coordinate horticultural crop harvestingView draft unit
AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation programView draft unit
AHCPHT401 Assess olive oil for style and qualityView draft unit
AHCPHT402 Develop a crop regulation programView draft unit
AHCPHT403 Develop harvesting and processing specifications to produce an olive oilView draft unit
AHCPHT404 Implement and monitor a horticultural crop harvesting programView draft unit
AHCPHT405 Manage mushroom substrate preparationView draft unit
AHCPHT406 Control Phase II mushroom substrate processView draft unit
AHCPHT407 Manage mushroom crop developmentView draft unit
AHCPHT408 Oversee vineyard practicesView draft unit
AHCPHT502 Develop a horticultural production planView draft unit
AHCPHT503 Manage a controlled growing environmentView draft unit

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

 

AHCSOL2XX Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testingView draft unit
AHCSOL401 Sample soils and interpret resultsView draft unit
AHCSOL402 Develop a soil use map for a propertyView draft unit
AHCSOL403 Prepare acid sulphate soil management plansView draft unit
AHCSOL404 Supervise acid sulphate soil remediation and management projectsView draft unit
AHCSOL502 Manage soils to enhance sustainabilityView draft unit
AHCSOL503 Manage erosion and sediment controlView draft unit
AHCSOL504 Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinityView draft unit

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

 

AHCWAT201 Set up, operate and maintain water delivery systems for compostView draft unit
AHCWAT301 Monitor and operate water treatment processesView draft unit
AHCWAT5XX Design water treatment systemsView draft unit

The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.

 

AHCPHT305 Regulate cropsReplaced by new unit AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation program.View on training.gov.au

 

Summary of consultation to date

The draft qualification and units have been drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts. This took the form of face-to-face meetings throughout July and September, as well as site visits and a webinar. People working directly in production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery participated and provided information on the skills and knowledge required for job roles and tasks. Thank you to those who provided feedback during these activities.

 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.

 

Validation

Making up part of the same supply chain, the sectors of production horticulture, nursery production, and retail nursery share many transferable skills and face many of the same opportunities and challenges. These sectors are essential for providing plants for use as food, fibre, and decoration, so it’s important that nationally endorsed qualifications are up to date and meet the needs of industry every step of the way.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the final draft qualification and units of competency that were made available on this webpage for feedback from 20 December 2019 – 16 February 2020.

The qualification and units have been revised to include work functions that reflect current job roles in the industry and incorporate the latest technologies, equipment and advances.

Final drafts of the qualification and units can be viewed in the lists below.

 

Summary of consultation to date

The units were drafted with guidance from Subject Matter Experts, made up of workplace experts and industry. Thank you to those stakeholders who provided feedback on the initial drafts that were made available from 16 September – 31 October 2019, under the ‘Drafts Available’ stage. During this time, feedback was collected via the online feedback hub, national face-to-face consultation workshops and webinars, and via phone call and email. Feedback that was received on the initial drafts was considered to redraft versions of these final drafts.

A description of how feedback has been considered and applied in these final drafts can be downloaded below. Please click the ‘Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions’ button.

Qualifications & Skill Sets

 Click here to download a zipped folder of all qualifications in this group. 

Qualification code and nameProposed changes Link
AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Nursery OperationsNew qualification.Download final draft qualification
AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Production HorticultureNew qualification.Download final draft qualification
AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Nursery OperationsNew qualification.Download final draft qualification
AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Production HorticultureNew qualification.Download final draft qualification
AHC4XX20 Certificate IV in Nursery OperationsNew qualification.Download final draft qualification
AHC4XX20 Certificate IV in Production HorticultureAmended packaging rules, new core and elective units.Download final draft qualification
AHC5XX20 Diploma of Production HorticultureAmended packaging rules, new core and elective units.Download final draft qualification
AHC5XX20 Diploma of Production Nursery ManagementAmended packaging rules and entry requirements, new core and elective units.Download final draft qualification

 

Qualification code and nameRationale Link
AHC50916 Diploma of Retail Nursery ManagementQualification recommended for deletion due to low enrolment numbers.View on training.gov.au

 

 Click here to download a zipped folder of all skill sets in this group. 

Skill set code and nameProposed changes Link
AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Machinery Skill SetRevised to correct typographical errors.Download final draft skill set
AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Manager Skill SetRevised to correct typographical errors.Download final draft skill set
AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Supervisor Skill SetSupersedes and is equivalent to AHCSS00065 Production Horticulture Machinery Skill Set.

Minor edits and unit of competency updated to current version.

Download final draft skill set
AHCSS00064 Production Horticulture Administration Supervisor Skill SetSupersedes and is equivalent to AHCSS00066 Production Horticulture Manager Skill Set.

Minor edits and units of competency updated to current version.

Download final draft skill set
AHCSS00068 Production Horticulture Technology Skill SetSupersedes and is equivalent to AHCSS00067 Production Horticulture Supervisor Skill Set.

Minor edits and unit of competency updated to current version.

Download final draft skill set

 

 

Units of Competency

These units have all undergone minor changes to clarify Performance Criteria, additions to Foundation Skills, and updates to Assessment Requirements.

 Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group. 

Unit code and name Link
AHCNSY3XX Operate fertigation equipmentDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY101 Support nursery workDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY201 Pot up plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY202 Care for nursery plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY203 Undertake propagation activitiesDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY204 Maintain indoor plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY301 Maintain nursery plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY302 Receive and dispatch nursery productsDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY303 Install and maintain plant displaysDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY304 Deliver and promote sales of plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY305 Prepare specialised plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY306 Implement a propagation planDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY401 Plan a growing-on programDownload final draft unit
AHCNSY402 Plan a propagation programDownload final draft unit

 

These units have all undergone minor changes to clarify Performance Criteria, additions to Foundation Skills, and updates to Assessment Requirements. Minor changes have also been made to the Application of AHCPCM302 Provide information on plants and their culture. AHCPCM506 Develop an integrated pest management program is a new unit and so did not require the same updates.

 Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group. 

Unit code and name Link
AHCPCM3XX Implement a plant nutrition programDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM5XX Apply knowledge of plant physiology to horticultural practicesDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM201 Recognise plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM203 Fell small treesDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM302 Provide information on plants and their cultureDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM304 Report on health and condition of treesDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM401 Recommend plants and cultural practicesDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM402 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition programDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM403 Implement an integrated pest management programDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM501 Diagnose plant health problemsDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM502 Collect and classify plantsDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM503 Specify plants for landscapesDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM504 Design specialised landscapeDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM505 Conduct environment and food safety risk assessment of plant nutrition and soil fertility programsDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM506 Develop an integrated pest management programDownload final draft unit
AHCPCM601 Develop and implement a plant health management strategyDownload final draft unit

 

These units have all undergone minor changes to clarify Performance Criteria, additions to Foundation Skills, and updates to Assessment Requirements. Minor changes have also been made to the Application of AHCPHT2XX Plant horticultural crops. AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation program is a redesigned unit that merges AHCPHT301 Carry out a crop regulation program and AHCPHT305 Regulate crops.

 Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group. 

Unit code and name Link
AHCPHT101 Support horticultural productionDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT202 Carry out canopy maintenanceDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT204 Undertake field budding and graftingDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT205 Carry out post-harvest operationsDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT206 Handle and move mushroom boxesDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT207 Perform mushroom substrate process tasksDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT208 Water mushroom cropsDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT209 Produce trellis dried grapesDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT2XX Plant horticultural cropsDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT303 Implement a post-harvest programDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT304 Harvest horticultural crops mechanicallyDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT306 Establish horticultural cropsDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT307 Prepare raw materials and compost feedstockDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT308 Prepare value added compost-based productsDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT309 Supervise mushroom substrate preparationDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT310 Coordinate horticultural crop harvestingDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation programDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT401 Assess olive oil for style and qualityDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT402 Develop a crop regulation programDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT403 Develop harvesting and processing specifications to produce an olive oilDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT404 Implement and monitor a horticultural crop harvesting programDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT405 Manage mushroom substrate preparationDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT406 Control Phase II mushroom substrate processDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT407 Manage mushroom crop developmentDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT408 Oversee vineyard practicesDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT502 Develop a horticultural production planDownload final draft unit
AHCPHT503 Manage a controlled growing environmentDownload final draft unit

 

These units have all undergone minor changes to clarify Performance Criteria, additions to Foundation Skills, and updates to Assessment Requirements. Minor changes have also been made to the Application of AHCSOL2XX Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing.

 Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group. 

Unit code and name Link
AHCSOL2XX Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testingDownload final draft unit
AHCSOL401 Sample soils and interpret resultsDownload final draft unit
AHCSOL402 Develop a soil use map for a propertyDownload final draft unit
AHCSOL403 Prepare acid sulphate soil management plansDownload final draft unit
AHCSOL404 Supervise acid sulphate soil remediation and management projectsDownload final draft unit
AHCSOL502 Manage soils to enhance sustainabilityDownload final draft unit
AHCSOL503 Manage erosion and sediment controlDownload final draft unit
AHCSOL504 Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinityDownload final draft unit

 

These units have all undergone minor changes to clarify Performance Criteria, additions to Foundation Skills, and updates to Assessment Requirements. Minor changes have also been made to the Application of AHCWAT5XX Design water treatment systems.

 Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this group. 

Unit code and name Link
AHCWAT201 Set up, operate and maintain water delivery systems for compostDownload final draft unit
AHCWAT301 Monitor and operate water treatment processesDownload final draft unit
AHCWAT5XX Design water treatment systemsDownload final draft unit

 

These two units have been merged to create the unit AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation program. 

Unit code and nameLink
AHCPHT301 Carry out a crop regulation programView on training.gov.au
AHCPHT305 Regulate cropsView on training.gov.au

 

 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.

 

Finalisation

The skills required to grow plants for human use are evolving as industry adopts new technologies, processes and operations. Robots are being used to water and pick crops, drones are helping to identify disease, and data is becoming increasing available for forecasting optimal conditions and potential yield. Updated digital and technical skills are required across the supply chain, including in the sectors of production horticulture, nursery production and retail nursery, to work with new equipment and software. These sectors are essential in providing plants for use as food, fibre, and decoration, so it is important that national qualifications and skills standards are up to date and meet the needs of industry every step of the way.

Thanks to those who contributed to this project, updated skills standards have been developed to capture these changes, supporting future learners and industry as a whole. Existing units, skill sets and qualifications were updated to include work functions that reflect current job roles in the industry and incorporate the latest technologies, equipment and terminology. Qualifications have been merged to create more flexible career pathways that recognise how the skills needed across these sectors are related.

The updated units, skill sets and qualifications were published on the training.gov.au website on 24 December 2020, within the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package. They are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs).

These changes will support the ongoing training necessary to see participants who complete programs are skilled to a level that supports our industry. Streamlining the programs will now be in line with industry specific needs. This has been much needed in the industry for some time.

– Shane Hickey Chief Human Resources Officer, The Flower Power Group / Arborglen Pty Ltd

Key Outcomes
  • Ten qualifications have been merged into five qualifications to provide greater clarity and simplicity for industry regarding the qualifications available for their workforce.
  • Three qualifications, five skill sets and 67 units of competency were revised to include work functions that reflect current job roles in the industry and incorporate the latest technologies, equipment and advances.
  • The Diploma of Retail Nursery Management was recommended for deletion by the Subject Matter Expert Groups. These skills are now accessible through the Diploma of Nursery Management, which a person working specifically in retail management can undertake with units specific to their job role.
  • A new unit has been developed for AHCPCM509 Apply knowledge of plant physiology to horticultural practices.
  • The revised unit for AHCPHT312 Implement a crop regulation program has replaced AHCPHT301 Carry out a crop regulation program and AHCPHT305 Regulate crops.
Summary of consultation

The units, skill sets, and qualifications were developed with guidance from a group of industry Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The broader industry were then consulted on the draft documents at two different stages – the ‘Drafts Available’ and ‘Validation’ stages.

Feedback was collected via the online feedback hub, nine consultation workshops, a webinar, phone calls and email.

A summary of feedback and how it was been considered and applied at the ‘Drafts Available’ and ‘Validation’ stages can be downloaded below.

 

In May 2020, the Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping and Conservation and Land Management IRC reviewed the final draft skills standards and requested additional time for industry to review of the 14 Nursery units. Several meetings were held with industry experts to discuss the units and clarify terminology, so that they accurately reflected the required competencies. You can read more about the changes made as a result of these discussions here. The 14 updated units were then made available for broad industry feedback from 10 – 25 August 2020, and again for validation from 28 August – 9 September 2020. A summary of feedback collected during the ‘Drafts Available’ stage on the 14 units is available for download below. A summary of the additional ‘Validation’ phase will be available soon.

 

 

The skill sets and units were endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (read the communique) and State and Territory Ministers after undergoing an edit and equity and independent quality assurance process and consideration by the State/Territory Training Authorities (STAs/TTAs). A Case for Endorsement was submitted alongside the draft skill sets and units, including a rationale of why these changes are needed and evidence of industry support.

Click here to download the Case for Endorsement

Please find below links to the final documents, that are published on the training.gov.au website.

Companion Volume Implementation Guide

A Companion Volume Implementation Guide has also been produced to assist industry and registered training providers (RTOs) deliver the skill sets and units. It contains key information to help trainers adapt to any new changes, as well as additional information about the impacts of regulation and licensing implications and workplace health and safety on their training.

Click here to download the Companion Volume Implementation Guide Part 1

Click here to download the Companion Volume Implementation Guide Part 2

 

Qualifications & Skill Sets

 

Units of Competency

These two units have been merged to create the unit AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation program. 

AHCPHT301 Carry out a crop regulation program
AHCPHT305 Regulate crops