Landscape Horticulturist

"It’s refreshing to learn from instructors who have first-hand knowledge of the material we are studying. The knowledge I gained through studying at Olds College, combined with my on-the-job training, gave me the confidence to start my own landscape construction /maintenance company after the third year of my apprenticeship program."

Bruce Malmstrom, A Step Above Landscaping, 4th Year Landscape Gardener

What can you expect from our program?

Does the idea of earning while you learn sound good to you? As an Apprentice Landscape Horticulturist you will be on target for a rewarding career as a Journeyman Landscape Horticulturist. Blend your learning in the classroom with on the job training. Our accomplished and qualified faculty will show you the skills you need to be a successful professional.

Earn your certificate while working in parks or golf course maintenance, horticulture marketing and nursery or greenhouse production.

With impressive state-of-the-art facilities such as computer controlled greenhouses, botanic gardens and wetlands, research labs and the Landscape Construction Pavilion, you will surpass your expectations with the talent and ability top employers are looking for. Areas covered in the program include key items such as plant identification, landscape construction, landscape design, nursery production and pest identification.

Landscape Horticulturalist is a Red Seal trade, so graduates can find employment across Canada.

What will you learn?

Students will enjoy a hands-on learning experience ranging from botany, operating machinery and basic surveying, irrigation and greenhouse production.

Golf course maintenance
Horticulture marketing
Nursery or greenhouse production

Irrigation
Surveying
Landscape construction

What type of career could this lead to?

Landscape Horticulturists can find employment in a variety of industries that will take advantage of their expertise in ground and plant maintenance and landscape construction, including:

Landscaping and landscape construction
Urban yard maintenance
Installation and maintenance
Parks/golf course maintenance

Urban tree care
Pest control
Nursery production
Greenhouse production

The term of apprenticeship for a landscape horticulturist technician is 4 years (four 12-month periods) includes a minimum of 1260 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training (in-school) each year.

Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training – Landscape Horticulturist Technician: Program Page Course Outline

Credential: Apprenticeship

Length of Program: Eight (8) weeks of technical training for each period

Method of Delivery: On Campus Delivery for Technical Training

Program Intakes:

Intake Dates: TBA

Program Dates: Please visit our Dates & Schedules page to confirm start and end dates of your desired program and confirm campus closures.

Applications Open: AIT typically opens class registration in May. However, due to COVID-19 uncertainty, AIT will be deferring class registration to a later date. More information will be shared as soon it becomes available, including the priority registration process for apprentices who had been registered in technical training for March/April and May/June 2020 intakes. AIT is continuing to work with post‐secondary institutions on program availability and format if face‐to‐face delivery remains high risk. The guidelines and advice from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer are also top‐of‐mind when determining how and when to resume services to our clients; COVID‐19 and its impact on Albertans evolves daily. AIT and Olds College appreciate your understanding and patience. For up to date information, please visit AIT’s MyTradesecrets

Selection Process for Admission: First Qualified, First Accepted

Tuition, Mandatory Fees, Books, and Supplies: Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for details

Tuition & Fees: $1,040 / Books & Supplies: $300

*These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. Please note that this is an estimate for domestic students (international students should refer to the Fee Schedule) and all fees are subject to change.

What materials and supplies will I need?

Program Dates: Find out when you term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration: You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Recommendation: It is strongly recommended that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

A device capable of running Microsoft Office, preferably a laptop

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

Go to portal.office.com
Enter your Olds College email address and password
Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies:

The following items are required to be purchased prior to the start of your program:

Warm outdoor work clothes
Work gloves
CSA approved boots (steel toe)

You may be required to purchase "tool chips" at a cost of $50. These tool chips will be used to sign out design kits in apprenticeship classes using them. If you have no need for the kit, you will not be required to purchase. At the end of the year, $20 will be refunded if you return all of your tool chips. Please note: there is a $100 Design Kit Tool Tag Requirement for P3 & P4 Students

Information on other required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Other Important Information:

Safety Regulations: Wearing safety equipment and abiding by industry safety standards is mandatory within our program.
Employment Insurance: Information regarding applying for Employment Insurance benefits will be given on the first day of the technical training period.

Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship

What can you expect from our program?

What will you learn?

What type of career could this lead to?

Your Future

Program at a glance

What do I need to apply?

Ready to apply? Visit our Admissions page for more info or contact an Olds College Advisor.

Admitted Students