Summary of Careers in Landscaping
How to become a Landscaper
Landscaping is a desirable profession combining an outdoor work environment with the opportunity to express flair while making a major impact on a client's environment. Check out a typical training and career pathway below:
Landscapers Training and Career Pathway
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Classification / Qualifications
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Training |
Starting
Level 1
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Landscape Assistant
Cert I Horticulture
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VET in School or
Traineeship |
Getting Going
Level 2
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Landscape Worker
Cert II Horticulture
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Traineeship |
1st Milestone
Level 3
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Landscape Tradesperson
Cert III Horticulture (Landscaping)
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Traineeship |
Promotion
Level 4
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Landscape Supervisor
Cert IV Horticulture (Landscaping)
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Moving Up
Level 5
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Landscape Manager
Diploma Horticulture (Landscaping)
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You are at the Top
Level 6
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Landscape Business Manager
Advanced Diploma Horticulture (Landscaping)
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Step 1 - Training
There are many registered training organisations, such as TAFE, that can provide the necessary courses for you to attain a qualification in landscaping.
About becoming a Structural Hard Landscaper:
A structural landscaper is responsible for building a construction of landscape items such as:-
- The preparation, fabrication and erection of:
- Timber, sheet metal and wire fences
- Prefabricated kit pergolas and gazebos
- Retaining walls constructed from timber, battered dry stacked masonry, stone, blockwork or pre fabricated concrete to a height not requiring an engineering certification under local law.
- Ornamental structures
- Prefabricated water features that are not connected to a permanent water supply.
- prefabricated sheds with a maximum floor area of 10m2.
- Surface and sub-soil drainage related to landscaping work
- Site preparation and the laying of paving material, other than that intended for vehicular traffic, associated with landscaping.
To meet these requirements. a student must undertake a course from a recognised training provide such as Landscape Queensland members, TAFE or other RTO's who offer this service.
Landscape Queensland endorse the Amenity Horticulture Training Package as the preferred training system for the landscape Industry.
Successful completion of an apprenticeship / traineeship or Certificate at level III or higher in Horticulture (Landscaping). The qualification must include specific competencies that are approved by the Queensland Building Services Authority.
About becoming a Soft Landscaper
A Soft landscaper is responsible for the selection, planting and care and maintenance of plants in a landscape.
Specific tasks that a Soft Landscaper undertake include:
- Design a garden
- Select plant specimens
- Planting and sowing
- Prune and care for plants
- Transplant small trees
- Identify and recommend plant health treatments
- Lay and maintain lawns
- Maintain irrigation systems.
To meet these requirements a Student must undertake a course equivalent to a Certificate III in Horticulture, from a recognised training provider.
Suitable courses are offered by Landscape Queensland members training providers, TAFE's and RTO's.
Registered Training Organisations...for the Landscape Industry.
Currently there are two ways to gain qualifications in the landscape industry. The first is to attend a course from a recognised training organisation (TRO). Alternatively, you can be granted a qualification for all your years in the industry by the Recognition of Prior Learning (PRL) Process.
The following list of Landscape Queensland members specialise in delivering suitable training and RPL assessment.
Bremer TAFE
Phone: (07) 3817 3232
Fax: (07) 3817 3254
Email: nick.west@det.qld.gov.au
Career Employment Australia
Phone: (07) 3397 9899
Fax: (07) 3397 4386
Email: cea@ceagroup.com.au
Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Phone: (07) 3264 8613
Fax: (07) 3264 8775
Email: horted@hotkey.net.au
For the complete list of Queensland TAFE institutes delivering landscape qualifications....please click here
Certified Landscape Professionals
To gain entry into the industry certification scheme, you will need to have a suitable qualification. Speak to the companies listed above for assistance.
QBSA licenses
All Structural Landscapers in Queensland are required to have a currant QBSA license. You must have a suitable qualification to gain your license. contact the above companies for help.
What other types of courses are relevant to this industry?
To ensure your business succeeds in the competitive nature of this industry, other courses that you may wish to consider in the future include:
- Business Management
- Project Management
- Workplace Induction
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Accounting and Bookeeping
- Business Law
- Human Resource Management.
Other courses may be offered through TAFE and other RTO's.
Step 2 - Employment
Starting at the bottom is a great way to understand the real world and to progress on your path to being a professional landscaper.
Your objective is to get broad experience across most fields of the industry.
Try your hand at paving, pergola building, water feature construction, step building, retainer wall installation, irrigation laying to name some.
A good employer will expose you to many facets of the industry - the more you learn the more beneficial you will be to the employer.
These work experiences are a great opportunity for you to obtain an understanding of the industry as you progress in your career or when you start up your own business.
As you gain your practical experience, realise that this is also your learning phase.
Step 3 - Licensing
To do structural landscaping in Queensland, you must have a QBSA Structural Landscaping License. A soft landscaper does not require a QBSA license.
More information is available at www.bsa.qld.gov.au.
Step 4 - Landscape Queensland Membership
To be regarded as a professional you must become a member of a professional association.
Landscape Queenslands Objectives and Code of Ethics are available on the website.
To find out more about becoming a Landscape Queensland member clcik here.
Step 5 - Legal Requirements
Your business needs to be set up as a legal entity. consultation with your legal advisor will assist with this process. Scoglio Law is a Landscape Queensland member who is knowledgeable about these matters.
Additionally you will need to register your business name. Details can be found at Smart Business.
Step 6 - Continuing Professional Development
So far you have a qualification, experience a license and Landscape Queensland membership.
To maintain your professional currency you will need to update both your knowledge and experience. By undertaking courses and workshops you will be able to keep abreast of new developments and procedures to ensure you are competitive and professional.
Aim to become a Master Landscape Professional. This credential is highly respected by both public and commercial clients. Mre information on becoming a Certified Landscape Professional can be found here.
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