Algonquin College grows Horticulture program offerings

Posted on Friday, April 29th, 2016

New program to launch at Algonquin College in January with space for 20 apprentices.

Students considering a rewarding career designing, building, and maintaining landscapes will have another opportunity in January 2017.

With input and direction from the horticulture industry, Algonquin College has been approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to offer the Horticulture Technician apprenticeship program, creating 20 new spaces for apprentices in the Ottawa region.

This ‘earn while you learn’ program will complement the College’s existing diploma program to support the growing need for a skilled horticulture workforce in Eastern Ontario. Algonquin College will deliver the 720 hours of in-school training to apprentices which complements their 5,400 hours of on-the-job training. Both the apprenticeship and diploma programs will serve the need of postsecondary graduates and the existing workforce who aspire to gain skills through these recognized programs.

“We are thrilled to offer this new programming opportunity, investing in both our future workforce and in our Green Infrastructure,” said Robyn Heaton, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Media, and Design. “Algonquin College is already a significant educator of horticulture professionals in our region, and we are looking forward to expanding our offerings to meet the needs of students and employers.

Richard Rogers CLM, of RJ Rogers Landscaping of North Gower, Ont., and Ontario College of Trades Horticulture Technician Trade Board Member, said, “The horticulture technician apprenticeship program has been a tremendous benefit to our company for the past 34 years. It has been a valuable training resource giving us greater ability to retain employees while increasing our firm’s skill level. We would not be where we are today without it.”

“Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association is delighted to know that the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship program will be delivered at Algonquin College. We applaud the MTCU and Algonquin College for their progressive support of the horticulture profession that grows, designs, builds and maintains Green Infrastructure. Green Infrastructure continues to be recognized for its contribution to enhancing lives by providing health, wellness, environmental, social and economic benefits to every community. The continued growth in demand puts pressure on the need for a skilled workforce; the addition of this apprenticeship training program at Algonquin College will support the development of the horticulture profession’s future workforce,” said Sally Harvey CAE, CLM, CLT, Landscape Ontario’s Manager of Education, Labour Development and Eastern Ontario Region.

For more information on Horticulture Technician apprenticeship programs in Ontario, visit www.horticulturetechnician.ca or contact the Landscape Ontario Horticulture Technician Association (LOHTA) apprenticeship team at apprenticeship@landscapeontario.com.

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