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arboriculture student climbing tree

Advanced Horticultural Trades (Level 4) (Arboriculture)

New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) with strand in Arboriculture

SX1703

Course details

  • Jul 2024
  • Seven months
  • Full-time or Part-time
  • $5,596*
  • You may qualify for fee-free study under Fees Free Policy or MPTT
  • Level 4
  • Hamilton Gardens Campus

Summary

This programme teaches advanced technical skills around maintenance and management activities, as well as the skills for supervision and more senior roles. Projects for councils and residents will form part of the teaching, including the felling of large, difficult trees.

Students will also be involved in work experience trips to regional councils.

This programme builds on the knowledge gained in Applied Horticultural Services (Level 3), incorporating specialist techniques and understanding of arboriculture. The emphasis is on practical skills and technical expertise in tree assessment and care.

What you will learn

Students will learn aspects of professional practise, specialist arboriculture practices and the development of more advanced skills in tree climbing, pruning, felling and dismantling. The practical skills are supported with the development of skills in tree identification, knowledge of their specific requirements and uses, and knowledge of tree biology that will allow students to evaluate amenity trees and to diagnose tree health problems.

View programme modules

Arboriculture strand
Module CodeModule NameLevelCredits Pre-Requisites Co-Requisites
ARBO401Visual Assessments43  
ARBO402Identity and Present Trees46  
ARBO403Tree Biology48  
HORT319Chainsaw Maintenance310  
HORT320Soils and Plant Growth36  
HORT418Advance Felling410  
HORT423Tree Health48  
HORT424Tree Pruning410 HORT425
HORT425Tree Climbing410  
HORT426Sectional Felling410HORT418,
HORT424,
HORT425
 
HORT437Leading Projects410  

Career/further opportunities

Arboriculture allows for an active outdoor lifestyle, with many opportunities in the industry for self-employment or advancement into management positions. The Advanced Horticultural Trades (Level 4) (Arboriculture) programme can lead to employment in amenity tree management, as an Arborist (Tree Surgeon), employed by a company or local authority or as a self-employed arboriculture contractor.

Graduates would be able to continue on to the advanced level of training delivered in the Diploma in Arboriculture (Level 6). There are also opportunities to become self-employed, to undertake arboriculture management positions, or options in technical fields relating to arboriculture.

Events

No events.

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

You can apply for this programme if you meet one of the below options.

Based on study completed after school (tertiary study)

  • Completed the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Level 3 (Arboriculture strand);
  • Or an equivalent qualification.

Based on discretionary entrance

If you don't meet any of the above options, and you think you have what it takes to complete this programme, you can apply for discretionary entrance. Your application may be accepted if you can demonstrate a good change of success. Approval of discretionary entrance applications is decided by the relevant manager. If your application is approved, your acceptance into further programmes relies on you demonstrating success in this programme.

Selection criteria

a) Candidates without relevant qualifications may be required to participate in an interview and selection process. The following may be considered in the selection process:

1) The completion of a study skills assessment to demonstrate the level of academic skill necessary to successfully complete the programme.
2) Previous experience working in the horticulture sector. May include previous employment and voluntary work.
3) Personal qualities such as responsibility, teamwork and practical skills.
4) An aptitude for working in a public environment demonstrated through a reference from an employer where a candidate has worked with the public, or from a teacher attesting to social skills.
5) Candidates wishing to enrol on the arboriculture strand must have completed the following unit standards: 6400, 6401, 6402, 1668, 2768, 2767, 6916, 6917 and 20574.
6) As some of the practical components within this programme are considered high risk, students may be required to submit to an initial drug screen as per Wintec’s Drug & Alcohol Policy (OP-16/04).

b) To meet legal and health requirements, candidates must be physically able to carry out the practical components of the programme, including the ability to perform practical demonstrations and assessments.

c) Candidates with disabilities are eligible to enrol in this programme and will be provided with the necessary resources to attain the learning outcomes where practicable, but at the time of enrolment must notify the Equity/Disability Co-ordinator of their needs.

d) Some delivery maybe at locations which require arboriculture students to undertake a police check.

English language requirements

Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5.5 in the academic band, with no individual band score lower than 5.0; or equivalent.

Want to see full details of the entry criteria?

Don't meet the entry criteria?

Pathways

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscape Design and Construction pathway diagram

To check what you need to gain entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

Your first day

Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

Semester 2 2024

Date: Monday 24 July 2024
Time: 8.30am-4pm
Venue: Hamilton Gardens Campus, Gate 2, Cobham Drive

What you will need

Please wear covered-in shoes if you do not have safety boots on your first day so you can participate in our practical activities.

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - permits are required. Learn more about parking and find out about discounted bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Additional information

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    Prospectus (course guide)

    The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

    Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

    The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

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