Over the last number of years more and more job descriptions are specifying Level 7 or 8 qualification requirement for horticulturalists. This can be frustrating for those who completed their course many years ago and have and abundance of experience within the industry. Waterford IT and Teagasc offer graduates the opportunity to up-skill in specific horticultural industries as well as upgrade qualifications to levels 7 and 8. Waterford IT are accepting applications right up to the 18th of September for a variety of part-time and full-time horticulture courses starting in late September in Teagasc’s Kildalton College, Piltown, County Kilkenny, and in The National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
Applications are welcome for part-time level 7 Certificate courses in Sportsturf Science, Sustainable Food or Nursery Stock Production. Entry requires at least a full level 6 (or equivalent) horticulture qualification and offers a fantastic opportunity to up-skill in the relevant area after only 12 weeks of study (1.5 days per week).
Applicants with a full level 6 horticulture qualification (or equivalent) can also apply for advanced entry to year 2 of the full-time WIT BSc. In Horticulture which runs in Kildalton College and also in The National Botanic Gardens. Applicants with older horticulture qualifications such as the ACOT/Teagasc/FETAC Diploma in Horticulture (the 3-year course), or the Dept of Agriculture/ACOT Senior Certificate in Horticulture ( the 2-year course) can apply to transfer into the final year of the full-time degree, offering the possibility of gaining a Horticulture degree after only 9 months of study. For more information on all the courses on offer please visit www.wit.ie/horticulture or to discuss your personal options, please contact Dr Cara Daly by emailing cdaly@wit.ie
