new horizons - Institute of Technology Blanchardstown

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88 Part-time Prospectus 2009 | 2010
Horticulture Courses 89
Horticulture Courses
A career in horticulture leads to a
variety of interesting occupations,
working with plants and people in a
creative, imaginative and rewarding
way. Improvements to our environment
through the provision of attractive parks,
gardens, open spaces and sports facilities
add considerably to our quality of life and
wellbeing. The work of the horticulturalist
may be in the production of plants, in
garden centre sales, or in the provision
and maintenance of sports facilities and
other amenity and recreational areas. A
further vital aspect of horticulture is food
production, an increasingly important
element of horticulture in our rapidly
changing global economy.
ITB has established itself as a leader in
the horticulture education sector over
the last few years. We provide a range
of horticulture educational courses for
those working in the industry and keen
to gain qualifications, and the amateur
gardening enthusiast. Working in
conjunction with outside agencies from
the wider sector we offer comprehensive
educational packages to suit all, from
a single module course, with 1 night
per week and some Saturday practical
work, to a part time degree programme
delivered over 3 years via a mix of
traditional lectures, on-line delivery
and block release. ITB strives to give its
students a choice of learning formats,
and all work-based courses are taught
through this blended learning format.
Students of all ages and from a variety
of backgrounds undertake these courses
from those gaining the qualification purely
for their own self satisfaction, to those
already working in the industry looking to
gain a qualification and use it as a stepping
stone the next level, or the individual
looking towards a change of career.
All courses are designed to allow
students flexibility. Students pursue
qualifications via a variety of routes,
joining a single model programme
or completing the full three year
programme, ending in a Bachelor of
Science award.
Student Profile
School of Informatics and Engineering
“This in an area I’ve been in all my life, both my
parents are keen gardeners. I did a Level 5 in
Horticulture then spent seven years in various
related jobs. Coming back to education was a bit
daunting but the support system is great. One of
the reasons I’m doing it is that I’m hoping to try
something else – garden design – and I’ll get the
skills and the knowledge I need to follow that
career. I’m delighted with it, it will open up a lot
of doors for me.”
James Hill, Horticulture
“I work in K Club as the resort gardener. I’ve a
staff of six, augmented by summer seasonals.
We work annualised hours; during the winter we
work a seven hour day and during the summer
at least nine hours. So the course wasn’t
something that I went into light-heartedly. I just
try and slot the study in – I have my notes in
the car and if I have half an hour I look at them.
Being able to give fresh ideas to my staff is
important. If you don’t learn something new in a
day, it’s a day wasted.”
Philip Musgrove, Horticulture
“I was a sales representative. I was pretty
successful, hit targets… but my heart wasn’t in
it. I was wary that I wouldn’t be able for college,
not having been in school for so long. It was a
tough decision to move into something different.
Worth it though! Even from the start, the change
in me was apparent. Very quickly into the course
I knew that I would do my best to get into the
profession full-time… now I work in landscape
maintenance. In the job market the qualification
gives you an edge over other guys.”
David Langan, Horticulture