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 projectSubscribe 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 Beven | Industry Skills Standards Specialist, Skills Impact [email protected] |
| Andrew Horgan | Industry Engagement Manager, Skills Impact [email protected] |
| Peter Miller | Industry 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 projectSubscribe 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 title | Proposed changes | Link |
| AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Nursery Operations | New qualification, replacing AHC20716 Certificate II in Production Nursery and AHC20816 Certificate II in Retail Nursery. | View draft qualification |
| AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Production Horticulture | New qualification, replacing AHC20316 Certificate II in Production Horticulture and AHC21516 Certificate II in Floriculture. | View draft qualification |
| AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Nursery Operations | New qualification, replacing AHC31116 Certificate III in Production Nursery and AHC31216 Certificate III in Retail Nursery. | View draft qualification |
| AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Production Horticulture | New qualification, replacing AHC30616 Certificate III in Production Horticulture and AHC33216 Certificate III in Floriculture. | View draft qualification |
| AHC4XX20 Certificate IV in Production Horticulture | Updated 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 Operations | New 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 Horticulture | Updated 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 Management | Updated 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 Management | Qualification recommended for deletion due to low enrolment numbers. | View on training.gov.au |
| AHCSS00064 Production Horticulture Administration Supervisor Skill Set | View draft skill set |
| AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Machinery Skill Set | View draft skill set |
| AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Manager Skill Set | View draft skill set |
| AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Supervisor Skill Set | View draft skill set |
| AHCSS00068 Production Horticulture Technology Skill Set | View 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 work | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY201 Pot up plants | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY202 Care for nursery plants | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY203 Undertake propagation activities | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY204 Maintain indoor plants | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY301 Maintain nursery plants | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY302 Receive and dispatch nursery products | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY303 Install and maintain plant displays | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY304 Deliver and promote sales of plants | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY305 Prepare specialised plants | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY306 Implement a propagation plan | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY3XX Operate fertigation equipment | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY401 Plan a growing-on program | View draft unit |
| AHCNSY402 Plan a propagation program | View draft unit |
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
| AHCPCM201 Recognise plants | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM203 Fell small trees | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM302 Provide information on plants and their culture | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM304 Report on health and condition of trees | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM3XX Implement a plant nutrition program | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM401 Recommend plants and cultural practices | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM402 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition program | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM403 Implement an integrated pest management program | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM501 Diagnose plant health problems | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM502 Collect and classify plants | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM503 Specify plants for landscapes | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM504 Design specialised landscape | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM505 Conduct environment and food safety risk assessment of plant nutrition and soil fertility programs | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM506 Develop an integrated pest management program | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM5XX Apply knowledge of plant physiology to horticultural practices | View draft unit |
| AHCPCM601 Develop and implement a plant health management strategy | View draft unit |
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
| AHCPHT101 Support horticultural production | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT202 Carry out canopy maintenance | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT204 Undertake field budding and grafting | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT205 Carry out post-harvest operations | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT206 Handle and move mushroom boxes | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT207 Perform mushroom substrate process tasks | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT208 Water mushroom crops | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT209 Produce trellis dried grapes | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT2XX Plant horticultural crops | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT303 Implement a post-harvest program | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT304 Harvest horticultural crops mechanically | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT306 Establish horticultural crops | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT307 Prepare raw materials and compost feedstock | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT308 Prepare value added compost-based products | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT309 Supervise mushroom substrate preparation | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT310 Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation program | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT401 Assess olive oil for style and quality | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT402 Develop a crop regulation program | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT403 Develop harvesting and processing specifications to produce an olive oil | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT404 Implement and monitor a horticultural crop harvesting program | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT405 Manage mushroom substrate preparation | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT406 Control Phase II mushroom substrate process | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT407 Manage mushroom crop development | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT408 Oversee vineyard practices | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT502 Develop a horticultural production plan | View draft unit |
| AHCPHT503 Manage a controlled growing environment | View draft unit |
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
| AHCSOL2XX Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing | View draft unit |
| AHCSOL401 Sample soils and interpret results | View draft unit |
| AHCSOL402 Develop a soil use map for a property | View draft unit |
| AHCSOL403 Prepare acid sulphate soil management plans | View draft unit |
| AHCSOL404 Supervise acid sulphate soil remediation and management projects | View draft unit |
| AHCSOL502 Manage soils to enhance sustainability | View draft unit |
| AHCSOL503 Manage erosion and sediment control | View draft unit |
| AHCSOL504 Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinity | View 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 compost | View draft unit |
| AHCWAT301 Monitor and operate water treatment processes | View draft unit |
| AHCWAT5XX Design water treatment systems | View draft unit |
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here.
| AHCPHT305 Regulate crops | Replaced 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 projectSubscribe 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 name | Proposed changes | Link |
| AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Nursery Operations | New qualification. | Download final draft qualification |
| AHC2XX20 Certificate II in Production Horticulture | New qualification. | Download final draft qualification |
| AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Nursery Operations | New qualification. | Download final draft qualification |
| AHC3XX20 Certificate III in Production Horticulture | New qualification. | Download final draft qualification |
| AHC4XX20 Certificate IV in Nursery Operations | New qualification. | Download final draft qualification |
| AHC4XX20 Certificate IV in Production Horticulture | Amended packaging rules, new core and elective units. | Download final draft qualification |
| AHC5XX20 Diploma of Production Horticulture | Amended packaging rules, new core and elective units. | Download final draft qualification |
| AHC5XX20 Diploma of Production Nursery Management | Amended packaging rules and entry requirements, new core and elective units. | Download final draft qualification |
| Qualification code and name | Rationale | Link |
| AHC50916 Diploma of Retail Nursery Management | Qualification 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 name | Proposed changes | Link |
| AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Machinery Skill Set | Revised to correct typographical errors. | Download final draft skill set |
| AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Manager Skill Set | Revised to correct typographical errors. | Download final draft skill set |
| AHCSS000XX Production Horticulture Supervisor Skill Set | Supersedes 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 Set | Supersedes 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 Set | Supersedes 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 equipment | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY101 Support nursery work | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY201 Pot up plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY202 Care for nursery plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY203 Undertake propagation activities | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY204 Maintain indoor plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY301 Maintain nursery plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY302 Receive and dispatch nursery products | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY303 Install and maintain plant displays | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY304 Deliver and promote sales of plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY305 Prepare specialised plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY306 Implement a propagation plan | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY401 Plan a growing-on program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCNSY402 Plan a propagation program | Download 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 program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM5XX Apply knowledge of plant physiology to horticultural practices | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM201 Recognise plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM203 Fell small trees | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM302 Provide information on plants and their culture | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM304 Report on health and condition of trees | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM401 Recommend plants and cultural practices | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM402 Develop a soil health and plant nutrition program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM403 Implement an integrated pest management program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM501 Diagnose plant health problems | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM502 Collect and classify plants | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM503 Specify plants for landscapes | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM504 Design specialised landscape | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM505 Conduct environment and food safety risk assessment of plant nutrition and soil fertility programs | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM506 Develop an integrated pest management program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPCM601 Develop and implement a plant health management strategy | Download 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 production | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT202 Carry out canopy maintenance | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT204 Undertake field budding and grafting | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT205 Carry out post-harvest operations | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT206 Handle and move mushroom boxes | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT207 Perform mushroom substrate process tasks | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT208 Water mushroom crops | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT209 Produce trellis dried grapes | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT2XX Plant horticultural crops | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT303 Implement a post-harvest program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT304 Harvest horticultural crops mechanically | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT306 Establish horticultural crops | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT307 Prepare raw materials and compost feedstock | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT308 Prepare value added compost-based products | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT309 Supervise mushroom substrate preparation | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT310 Coordinate horticultural crop harvesting | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT401 Assess olive oil for style and quality | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT402 Develop a crop regulation program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT403 Develop harvesting and processing specifications to produce an olive oil | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT404 Implement and monitor a horticultural crop harvesting program | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT405 Manage mushroom substrate preparation | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT406 Control Phase II mushroom substrate process | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT407 Manage mushroom crop development | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT408 Oversee vineyard practices | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT502 Develop a horticultural production plan | Download final draft unit |
| AHCPHT503 Manage a controlled growing environment | Download 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 testing | Download final draft unit |
| AHCSOL401 Sample soils and interpret results | Download final draft unit |
| AHCSOL402 Develop a soil use map for a property | Download final draft unit |
| AHCSOL403 Prepare acid sulphate soil management plans | Download final draft unit |
| AHCSOL404 Supervise acid sulphate soil remediation and management projects | Download final draft unit |
| AHCSOL502 Manage soils to enhance sustainability | Download final draft unit |
| AHCSOL503 Manage erosion and sediment control | Download final draft unit |
| AHCSOL504 Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinity | Download 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 compost | Download final draft unit |
| AHCWAT301 Monitor and operate water treatment processes | Download final draft unit |
| AHCWAT5XX Design water treatment systems | Download final draft unit |
These two units have been merged to create the unit AHCPHT3XX Implement a crop regulation program.
| Unit code and name | Link |
| AHCPHT301 Carry out a crop regulation program | View on training.gov.au |
| AHCPHT305 Regulate crops | View on training.gov.au |
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe 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
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.
| AHC50916 Diploma of Retail Nursery Management |
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 |