THE good news for those interested in pursuing a horticultural career is that there is no shortage of educational courses available in this are Teagasc, the State's agriculture and food development authority, offers a number of different horticultural courses at various locations around the country.
A Diploma in Commercial Horticulture, for example, is offered by the authority at centres in counties Kilkenny, Meath and Louth. This course, which is taken over two and a half years, is taught on a modular basis where continuous assessment apples.
In first year, students spend one half of their time studying horticultural theory and the other half on practical work. They develop skills like pruning, planting, packing crops for market, machinery operation, tractor driving and computerisation.
During second year, which runs from September to March, more advanced technical and business management skills are introduced. Work placement begins in April and, in addition, two 16 week training programmes in the commercial industry are undertaken.
Teagasc has also devised a Diploma in Amenity Horticulture that is conducted from the College of Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
Years one and three of this three year course are held on campus - while year two is generally spent on work experience with the parks departments of various local authorities The course is no residential free and, on successful completion of first year students receive a Certificate Amenity Horticulture.
Teagasc also runs a certificate in basic horticultural skills course at the Franciscan College in the Westmeath town of Multyfarnham, and what it calls craft courses in horticulture at its Kinsealy research centre in Dublin and its Clonroche premises in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
The certificate in basic horticultural skills which is a full time study option that lasts for a year is mainly a practical course that covers the skills required commercial horticulture. It also includes periods of work experience outside the college.
