landscaping apprenticeship

[TEKILA]

hey guys, im in year 12 at the moment and its that stage of the year where i am making decisions regarding my future. i have decided that i want to be a landscaper. i just have a few questions. Does landscaping require a pre-apprenticeship course such as a sparky? or do you just go straight onto the job and do a horticulture course at tafe etc. and what do i need to know/look out for in the landscaping industry?
any other feedback would be much appreciated.
brad

[b2tf]

talk to rodderz on here

[MO]

Don't know for sure but think some sort of course under the belt would help...good luck.

[TEKILA]

thanks b2tf, il drop him a PM

[fordOwner]

Hey mate! Im a Horticulturalist specialising in Turf. I look after the Turf at Kings Park - Perths Botanical Gardens.
I did a pre-apprentiship at Tafe after I left school where I learnt a sample of every bit of the Horticultural trade. but I ended up starting my own business after that year and so i did not carry on with an apprentiship.
But since then I have completed my Cert 2 in Hort and Cert 3 in Turf Management. This has taken me 4.5 years all up to do. Im glad its over but it goes quickly when you look back.

TAFE in WA does not do Pre apprentiships anymore tho.

Also there are other fields in Hort that you could look into - Landscape design, Turf, Nursery, Landscaping, general horticulture maintenance, Permaculture etc etc.

Remember, Landscaping involves LOTS of ground work (levelling, drainage, retaining walls, Brickpaving etc) and LOTS of planting out. You will learn plenty of skills but its hard work.

Personally I am more interested in maintenance - Less heavy work but using the same skills.
I worked at a Uni as a Grounds Keeper which was awsome! then that led me to my even better job now.
I have also worked for the private sector - GREAT money mate! BUT, no holiday pay and so forth and the pressure is ON! plus its not as secure as a government job.

In todays world I would do a full year of Horticulture tafe or a pre apprentiship if they do it in Victoria still as employers would much rather take on a guy who knows whats going on and how to use the tools.

There are PLENTY of cow boys out there too, so if your looking for a job make sure they are a well known name and ask them questions like:
What insentives do you reward staff with?
Is there on the job training?
Do you supply tools/safety wear?
and make sure they pay you SUPERANNUATION! - I nearl ygot my lights punched out when i asken an employer about super.
OH!! and make sure if your in the Private sector DO NOT SPRAY ANY CHEMICALS!! if they ask you to spray say "sorry Im not certified." - If you get caught you could get YOUR *** fined big time! (but if it is for a school or government then its ok to spray)

Anyway I had to quickly type this out as my girlfriend is waiting for me to take her out for dinner.

any questions just ask AU bullet.

[rodderz]

I didnt do an apprenticeship, I got into the trade by accident, a landscaper was doing another course I was doing. That was over 10 years ago, I did some landscaping courses along the way, was a foreman for another business and I have now had my own business for about 1.5 years.

But a pre-course would be of great help, while I believe most trade work is learned through practise on the job there is a lot to be learned through theory with plant ID, your soil types, best work practises etc

Drop me a pm, tell me where you're from, I may be looking for an apprentice late this year, all dependant on work

[DoreSlamR]

apprenticeship is certainly the best way to go, since landscaping is so hands on its best to get in and get your hands dirty, generally your first year is general horticulture studies, then the following 2-3 years you learn your speciallised area...turf, parks and gardens, landscaping.

Like someone already said, try and work for a reputable business...my boss pretty much used me as cheap labour.. I ended up his scapegoat to the business failing and sacked me 6 months before the completion of my apprenticeship. I ended up getting my trade certificate a few months later with another company. Was very glad to finally get it.

[fordOwner]

Keep in mind also, if Horticulture is what you want your career to be, remember the water restrictions are getting tighter. Turf farms and irrigation company's have reported up to 80% decrease in work thus major employment loss.

Arborists (Tree Surgeons) is a great field that you could look into. Trees on average have a massive root system so they are self sufficient and require pruning in domestic situations. But, trees also die due to lack of water and other reasons like disease and storm damage etc so they require removing too.
Arborists earn good money, get to do lots of rope work (climbing and absailing), use chainsaws and other machinery, there is a world wide demand AND I dont think that this field will decrease in work at all in Australia.

I have been to a few seminars about trees and wow, they are amazing things, if they could up root and move to a better spot they would!

DoreSlamr - Ask your employer or take yourself to these seminars in Perth, Arborlogic does one day seminars, its SO worth it, you will be amazed at how trees behave!

[DoreSlamR]

arborists are a rare comodity, its amazing how many tree loppers call themselves arborists jsut coz they know how to cut a tree down

[bf tubs]

when i did my appreticeship i started on with a company as a labourer then asked for one later on . the main reason for this was to see if its the right thing for me ,i no longer do landscaping as im in civil contruction now but it was an awesome time its just that the wages cant compete with what im getting now

[fordOwner]

The Term "Tree Lopper" is simply another word for Cow Boy. To Lopp a tree is the WORST thing you can do to a tree. Lopping is to cutt all or most limbs off a tree. this results in new growth which forms as side shoots which eventally grow into massive limbs which is no way anchored to the tree which then makes the tree a "Widow maker" or disease ridden by all the cuts you have given it.

Arborists are in BIG demand in Europe. Australians just get "Tree Loppers" to do the job and skip the thought of having an Arborist in to do the job properly.
But on the other hand Arborists wont always do want you want to do to a tree - Removing limbs amd removing whole trees are there last resort. Arborists are more Botanic and scientific, Tree Loppers are just chainsaw savvy.

Like you say DoreSlamR I hate it when Gardeners call them selves Horticulturalists too, it takes years of training to become a true Horticulturalist.