A horticultural technician works with plants and has knowledge and skills in ornamental horticulture and plant health care. Using tools and machinery, this person installs, grows and maintains indoor and outdoor plants; builds urban and rural landscapes; maintains outdoor properties; cares for turf grass and golf courses; and installs and maintains irrigation systems. The fundamentals of grounds keeping, including safe snow and ice removal, as well as sustainable agriculture practices and green technologies are also introduced.
Technicians are a non-restricted certified trade regulated by the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. On successfully completing the apprenticeship program, a person working in this trade is entitled to a Certificate of Apprenticeship and can challenge the trade examination to obtain a Certificate of Qualification. The 441C Horticulture Technician program is a Red Seal trade within Ontario. For more information, visit horticulturetechnician.ca.
A Horticultural Technician is a person who:
Communicates effectively to achieve results.
Controls plant pests and diseases using various methods, including integrated pest management.
Transplants and installs plants.
Maintains and manages horticultural properties.
Recycles waste materials.
Identifies nutrient requirements of plants, applies fertilizers, and monitors the plants and maintains records of results of applications.
Analyses plant watering requirements, installs irrigation systems, and monitors and records results.
Grows plants using different propagation techniques and maintains records of results.
Prunes plants, considering timing and tools.
Establishes and maintains turf-grass.
Constructs landscapes according to drawings, using plants and other materials such as wood, stone, soil, and concrete.
Maintains and stores tools and equipment.
Works in compliance with workplace safety legislation.
How you'll learn
‘Earn while you learn’ with 720 hours of in-school training and 5,400 hours of on-the-job training. Levels 1 and 2 available.
Students describe the application of first aid and CPR techniques for emergencies in the workplace. This unit is comprised of the standard First Aid certification requirements.
HTAP7008 Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care
Students will learn to identify and describe the management of pests and disorders of plant material (turf, trees, interior plants, greenhouse plants, perennial/annual), utilizing plant health care and integrated pest management principles.
HTAP7007 Landscape Construction 1
In this course, students describe and demonstrate the handling and installation of precast landscape paving, wall units and landscape timber wall components, according to pertinent safety legislation and safe workplace practices, municipal standards and codes.
HTAP7009 Landscape Equipment Maintenance
In this course, students will describe and demonstrate basic scheduled, preventative and ongoing maintenance procedures for powered horticultural equipment, according to respective federal, provincial and municipal legal requirements.
HTAP7004 Plant Identification 1
Students learn to identify 80 ornamental landscape plants (see the Ontario 2009 Plant List), using the required nomenclature and stating the cultural requirements for each as well as identifying pests and diseases as they relate to plant selection.
HTAP7005 Plant Materials 1
In this course, students will describe grounds maintenance practices and procedures including basic installation and transplanting processes for nursery stock, such as annuals, woody and herbaceous plants, according to respective federal, provincial, and municipal legal requirements.
HTAP7002 Plant Science
Describe plant biology, soil structure and quality, plant-media relationship, nutrient composition and the relationship to plant performance in its environment.
HTAP7006 Trade Calculations
Identify, explain and demonstrate performance of calculations used in the horticulture industry, including the use of standard measuring devices.
HTAP7003 Turf Management 1
In this course, students describe and demonstrate turf grass mowing and fertilizing practices including monitoring turf grass quality, plant health care, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, according to federal, provincial and municipal legal requirements.
HTAP7001 Workplace Communications
Describe and demonstrate oral, written communication skills required to function effectively as part of a crew/team in the workplace, using traditional and current technology.
HTAP7000 Workplace Safety
Describe and demonstrate safe workplace practices, including dealing with on-site conditions, emergencies and hazards, according to federal and provincial pertinent safety legislation and municipal legal requirements.
Semester Two
HTAP7013 Irrigation
In this course, students will explore water quality, plant water requirements and local conservation standards, water stewardship principles, basic irrigation systems and procedures as per federal, provincial and municipal legal requirements.
Prerequisite: ( HTAP 7002, HTAP 7003, HTAP 7005 )
HTAP7018 Landscape Construction 2
In this course, students describe and demonstrate the handling and installation of precast landscape paving, wall units and landscape timber wall components, according to pertinent safety legislation and safe workplace practices, municipal standards and codes.
Prerequisite: HTAP 7007
HTAP7019 Plan Reading and Quantity Take-off, Quote Preparation
Students learn to read and interpret plans, verify plan accuracy, and to determine equipment, materials and labour requirements to prepare a quote.
Prerequisite: HTAP 7006
HTAP7015 Plant Identification
Students learn to identify and describe 120 ornamental landscape plants (see Ontario 2009 Plant List), using the required nomenclature and stating the cultural requirements for each as well as understanding pest and disease as they relate to plant selection.
Prerequisite: HTAP 7004
HTAP7016 Plant Materials 2
Students will describe and demonstrate field digging and transplanting techniques, including transporting, aftercare and pruning techniques for annuals, woody and herbaceous plants.
Prerequisite: HTAP 7005
HTAP7012 Plant Production
This course covers plant production, from growing, potting/lining out to sale/installation on site, according to respective federal, provincial, and municipal legal requirements.
Prerequisite: ( HTAP 7002, HTAP 7005 )
HTAP7011 Plant Propagation
Students learn to describe and demonstrate plant propagation by sexual and asexual methods.
Prerequisite: ( HTAP 7002, HTAP 7005 )
HTAP7017 Site Layout, Grading and Surveying
Describe an environmentally sensitive site layout and drainage, including the placement and use of grading control devices, measuring devices and surveying equipment.
Prerequisite: HTAP 7006
HTAP7014 Turf Management 2
In this course, students will look at turf grass establishment and cultivation practices, including monitoring turf grass quality, plant health care, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques used in landscape construction (Softscape Installation), and grounds/golf course maintenance operations according to respective federal, provincial and municipal legal requirements.
Prerequisite: HTAP 7003
*Courses subject to change.
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities pays most of the in-class costs of apprenticeship training. The Ministry will forward information about schooling and costs once you are registered. The Ministry also has useful information about options for financial help.
Apprentice candidates need a minimum of Grade 12 high school diploma or equivalent.
Apprentices must work for an employer within Ontario.
Apprentices must be registered with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and OCOT.
How to Register
This registration process is available to apprentices to complete applications to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Please read each step carefully to ensure accuracy and success with your application.