Practical Apprenticeship Program
THE PROGRAM
The Horticulture Apprenticeship Program combines skills training and employment. Apprentices maintain full-time employment in horticulture while learning technical, practical, and business skills that will advance their careers.
Employees sign a registered agreement with their employer in the horticulture field to establish their apprenticeship. The agreement is registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA). The employer is committed to providing practical on-the-job training. During the apprenticeship, apprentices attend technical training sessions at Kwantlen’s Langley campus. The apprentice must complete four technical training levels. Each level includes six weeks of classes.
The first two levels of the program introduce general horticulture knowledge and skills. Apprentices in levels three and four focus on specialized skills in either Landscape or Production Horticulture. The technical training curriculum has been developed and approved by industry. It provides relevant, up-to-date information and is based on recent technological advances in horticulture.
Upon successful completion of the in-school training periods, the required workplace hours (6480 hours), and the Employer’s confirmation of the prescribed workplace training, the apprentice is awarded a Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification from the Industry Training Authority.
Journeypersons in the horticulture trades are in demand. Municipal parks departments, golf courses, nurseries, and landscape contractors often list a journeyperson certification as a requirement or preference when hiring Horticulturists.
TIMETABLE:
Horticulture (Landscape & Production) Apprentice Training Schedules are subject to change. All apprenticeship dates are listed on the Trades Training BC web site: http://www.tradestrainingbc.ca/apprenticedetail309.aspx
Detailed class schedule: www.kwantlen.ca/registration/timetables/trades/hort.html
SIGN-UP PROCESS
Step 1: Establish an Apprenticeship
Individuals are indentured through a signed and registered Apprenticeship Agreement between the Provincial Government, the employee, and their horticulture employer. The information and agreements are available through the Industry Training Authority at 1.866.660.6011 or 778.328.8700 or on-line at www.itabc.ca.
To begin an apprenticeship, an application can be downloaded from ITA’s site, completed, and faxed to 778.328.8701. Any Prior Learning Assessment (credit for previous work experience and/or vocational training) must be negotiated before the Apprenticeship Agreement is signed. Some students may find that this process will grant them credit for portions of the technical training and/or the required workplace hours. Once indentured, students sign up for Technical Training at Kwantlen. For additional information please visit the Apprenticeship web page at www.itabc.ca
Do you have a sponsor/employer?
HortEducationBC (HEBC) is the industry training organization for the horticulture trade. This organization is run by industry for industry. It is their objective to see all students succeed in their apprenticeship program through interactive learning and mentoring.
HEBC can act as your sponsor to assist you, as a new apprentice, with registration to the Industry Training Authority (ITA) of British Columbia. This sponsorship will last for one year upon registration with ITA. HEBC cannot sign off on your work-based hours. So it is important to transfer sponsorship to your new employer as soon as possible. HEBC can help you through the process of changing to a new sponsor, when such a time arises.
Please contact HortEducationBC:
(604) 430.0422
info@horteducationbc.com
www.horteducationbc.com
Step 2: Enrol at Kwantlen Polytechnic University
We recommend that apprentices complete a Kwantlen Polytechnic University Application for Admission (or Re-admission if previously a Kwantlen student) as soon as possible, as seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available at any Kwantlen campus, or on-line at: www.kwantlen.ca/apply. Click here for further details on the application process.
IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE YOUR APPRENTICESHIP you must show interest in advancing to the next level by completing and signing a “Program Status Change Form” and indicating the level you wish to go into. Admissions will not contact you if you have not completed the form (also available at Admissions office)
An ITA Individual ID number (ITA-ID) is required. If you do not have a ITA-ID, you will need to complete an apprenticeship registration form through the ITA (itabc.ca) prior to admission (Level 1 through to 4).
For application information, contact Student Enrolment Services at 604-599-2000 / http://www.kwantlen.ca/admission/contactus.html
APPLICATION FEES
The Indentureship agreement is provided free of charge by the Industry Training Centre. The Kwantlen Polytechnic University application fee is $40 and the re-application fee for previous Kwantlen students is $20.
TUITION
Tuition fees per six-week session are approximately $814 (not including additional student fees). Tuition costs are subject to change annually. Please contact Admissions at 604-599-2000.
REQUIRED TEXTS
The cost of the required texts for the program total approximately $1000 for the four levels. Texts purchased at the beginning of level 1 are used for levels 1 and 2. Most texts purchased prior to level 3 are used for levels 3 and 4. Note: These costs are subject to change without notice.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Students are responsible for field trip costs, CSA safety footwear, rain gear, accommodations, basic school supplies, and study materials.
APPLICATION TIMES
Apprenticeship technical training sessions are scheduled to start between late September and mid January and February. Early inquiry and application will ensure your assignment to the next available Technical Training period: Start Dates
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to Kwantlen's General university admission requirements including the vocational-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply.
- An ITA Individual ID number (ITA-ID) is required. If you do not have a ITA-ID, you will need to register with the ITA (www.itabc.ca) prior to admission.
Technical training is open to any interested person who meets the admission requirements. A minimum of Grade 10 completion is preferred. HortEducationBC (www.horteducationbc.com), the horticulture industry training organization, will indenture individuals in horticulture for one year.
EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY
The Horticulture Apprenticeship Program is an approved Technical Training Program. Most Apprentices are eligible to collect Employment Insurance benefits during their in-school sessions and may be eligible for additional benefits such as travel or lodging allowances. These details can be verified at Service Canada's web site. Other helpful Government of Canada sites for apprentices are: Apprentice Financial Supports, Apprenticeship Grants, Service Canada Centres, Starting Post-Secondary Education, and Apprenticeship Programs.
BRIDGING & LADDERING
Graduates of Horticulture Certificate (Foundation) Programs, at accredited B.C. Horticulture Institutions, currently ladder directly into level 3 of the Horticulture Apprenticeship Program. Journeypersons can transfer into the diploma program; they transfer or receive approximately 30 credits of course work. Call us at 604.599.3259 for more information or contact HortEducationBC at (604) 430.0422.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The university calendar contains rules and regulations that govern students while at the university; each student is responsible for being aware of these rules and regulations. The calendar is available online at kwantlen.ca/calendar
CONTACT US
School of Horticulture
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langley Campus, 20901 Langley By-Pass, Langley
604.599.3254 horticulture@kwantlen.ca
