Greenhouse Technician (Co-op)
Post Secondary

Greenhouse Technician
(Co-op)

Two Years | Ontario College Diploma
Program Code 0737
Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus

Caring instructors challenged me to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to start my own business. I cannot imagine where else I could gain this level of technical background.

Chris Buhler, Greenhouse Technician (Co-op) graduate 2006, Owner of Floating Gardens Ltd. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.



Career Opportunities

A green thumb isn't enough. To succeed in today's highly competitive greenhouse and nursery industry, you'll need to understand greenhouse operations, plant environment, pest management technology, labour management and much more.

This program covers all the basics, preparing you for career opportunities in:

  • Greenhouse management
  • Greenhouse crop production
  • Nursery management
  • IPM specialist
  • Technical sales
  • Garden centres
  • Horticultural research
  • Horticultural journalism

The NC Difference

  • Niagara is located in the heart of Canada’s rapidly expanding greenhouse industry
  • The College has more than 1,850 sq. m. (20,000 sq. ft.) of greenhouse space, as well as living labs, container and field nursery operations, and onsite greenhouse equipment
  • Paid co-op work term often leads to employment
  • Industry standard IPM system used throughout the greenhouse environment
  • Applied research/demonstration projects with industry
  • Extensive field trips to ornamental and vegetable greenhouses in the Niagara and Leamington areas
  • Common first year with Horticultural and Landscape Technician (Co-op) programs giving students flexibility
  • Regular curriculum updates as recommended by industry advisors
  • Graduates can complete a degree in Landscape Management, Production Horticulture, or Golf Course Management at Olds College
  • Graduates can pursue a graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration as well as various provincial licenses
  • Participate in major industry trade shows
     

Testimonials and Profiles

"The positive hands-on learning experience, accompanied with the expert guidance provided by industry knowledgeable instructors, gave me the leading edge I need to be successful in today's dynamic greenhouse industry."

Adam Hendriksen - Graduate 2005
Assistant Grower - St. David's Hydroponics

 


Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, including the following required courses:
    • English - any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent.

Recommended Courses and/or Recommended Skills (Not Required for Admission):

  • Biology - Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U).
  • Chemistry - Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U).
  • Mathematics - any Grade 12 (C) or (U).

Selection and Ranking Process:

  • For competitive programs (the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available places), selection will be based on the highest senior level final grade available at the time of ranking. Mid-term grades are not used for ranking purposes.
  • Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Note:

  • Secondary School grades from co-op courses and half credit courses are not considered.

Transportation:

  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete practical lab requirements. Niagara cannot guarantee placements that are readily accessible by public transportation. Students are responsible for all costs connected with such transportation.

Educational Pathways

Niagara College has articulated agreements providing students with degree completion and credit transfer opportunities with many other colleges and universities.

General Information
askNC

For information, inquiries or frequently asked questions, please askNC or email the InfoCentre at info@niagaracollege.ca.

Tours

For more information please contact the InfoCentre.

Welland: 905-735-2211, ext. 7559
NOTL: 905-641-2252, ext. 4208

We look forward to meeting you!


Students in this program can gain real world skills through applied research projects.

Niagara Research Logo

 

Employment

Attention Employers:
Post a job for grads, co-op students, part-time, summer or volunteer.

Attention Students:
View job postings now

Program Information

Term One
COMM1101Language and Communications3
HORT1003Deciduous Trees and Shrubs3
HORT1004Horticulture Practices I3
HORT1005Landscape Graphics and Design3
HORT1006Nursery Management2
HORT1007Plant Science I3
MATH1100Mathematics for Horticulture3
Term Two
HORT1008Evergreen Ornamentals3
HORT1009Horticulture Entomology3
HORT1104Horticulture Practices II2
HORT1200Horticulture Construction2
HORT1013Landscape Design and Materials3
HORT1014Pest Management2
HORT1015Plant Science II3
Term Three (Co-op: May to August)
COOP1125Co-op Work Placement 
Term Four
COMM1250Advanced Communications for Horticulture2
HORT1303Nursery Production Practices2
HORT1230Annuals and Herbaceous Perennials3
HORT1245Applied Plant Pathology3
HORT1300Greenhouse Plant Environment2
HORT1302Greenhouse IPM3
HORT1420Greenhouse Vegetable Production2
HORT1471Greenhouse Crops I2
 General Education Elective (1 required)3
Term Five
ENVR1365Natural and Human Ecology3
HORT1273Sustainable Food Production2
HORT1295Greenhouse Technical Practices2
HORT1301Greenhouse Environment and Computer Controls2
HORT1315Architectural Green Spaces2
HORT1326Greenhouse Root-Zone Techniques3
HORT1422Horticulture Business and Sales3
HORT1571Greenhouse Crops II2
PERS1275Leadership Skills3

January Start Students

Students who begin the program in January 2013 complete Term 2 of the program during the Spring Term beginning in May 2013 and running into summer months.

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