DEVELOP A CAREER IN PARKS AND RECREATION!

• Municipal, National, Historic, Private Parklands
• Leisure Centres, Sports grounds, Resorts, Tourist Attractions
• Planning, Development, Maintenance, Management

Would you like to care and manage parks, natural parks, holiday and recreation resort facilities? Then this is the course to do. This course provides training for people to work in the management and development of recreation and park facilities and services. It is relevant to all types of situations including municipal parks, national parks, tourist parks, commercial landscapes, resorts, etc.

The Advanced Diploma in Horticulture includes core studies and electives. Core modules are compulsory, electives are chosen to suit your particular specialization or work needs.

a) CORE MODULES (12)

• Biochemistry (Plants),
• Project Management,
• Instructional Skills,
• Workplace Health & Safety,
• Horticulture I,
• Arboriculture I,
• Turf Care,
• Irrigation,
• Playground Design I,
• Leisure Management I (Marketing)
• Recreation Management-Human Resources,
• Recreation Management -Financial/Clerical
  
  b) ELECTIVES (8)
• Landscaping I,
• Landscaping II,
• Recreation Facility Management I,
• Recreation Facility Management II,
• Amenity Horticulture I
• Amenity Horticulture II
• Sports Turf Management
• Recreation Management -Policies & Procedures,
• Plant Protection,
• Engineering I,
• Soil Management,
• Irrigation Management,
• Australian Native Plants I,
• Horticulture II;
  and more!

2. WORKSHOPS
2 workshops of 100 hrs (or equivalent). Documentation that specifies what is required can be provided so that these requirements may be satisfied by working with a professional anywhere in the world. Ask for further information.

3. INDUSTRY CONFERENCES/SEMINARS
Attendance at conferences, seminars etc totalling 100 hrs

4. RESEARCH PROJECTS
Three projects (2 X 100 hrs), dealing with different aspects of the workplace.

STUDY SEQUENCE
The core modules should normally be completed before anything else. Beyond that it is possible for you to determine your order of studies.

Note: Fees cover all tuition and "essential" texts.
They do not include fees for any Industry conferences or seminars which are attended.

Note: Course fee does not include exam fees

Brief Outlines for Core Modules

Project Management

There are nine lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
   Understanding what project management is, and what its applications might be.
2. Project Identification
   Identification and defining projects which need management.
3. Project Planning
   Developing a strategy and framework for the plan.
4. Project Implementation
   Managers duties during implementation, developing a Preparation Control Chart,
   Regulating implementation.
5. Project Completion & Evaluation
   Dangers in this stage, Steps in Project completion, Declaring a project sustainable,
   Developing an evaluation method.
6. Technical Project Management Skills
   Preparing a proposal, budget control/management, steps in drawing up a
   post project appraisal.
7. Leadership Skills
   Styles of leadership, leadership principles and methods.
8. Improving Key Personnel Skills
   Listening skills, Negotiation skills, Conflict management.
9. Major Assignment
   Developing full documentation for a project.

Instructional Skills
There are 11 lessons with a written assignment to be submitted at the end of each lesson as follows:

1. Introduction to Training – Communication
2. Understanding Learning
3. Determining Training Requirements in The Workplace
4. Commencing Training
5. Developing a Lesson Plan
6. Assessment and Evaluation of Training Programs
7. Training Aids
8. One-To-One Training
9. Motivation Skills and Techniques
10. Promoting Training
11. Assessor Training

Horticulture I

There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:

1. Plant Identification: Naming plants; distinguishing the taxonomic divisions of plants including family, genus, species and variety or hybrid; identifying the different parts of a flower; distinguishing the morphological characteristics of leaves.

2. Planting: Planting methods used for different types of plants including annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous plants; influence of environmental factors on planting techniques.

3. Soils: Classifying soils; sampling and testing soils; chemical and physical properties of soils; soil improvement techniques; composting; potting mixes.

4. Nutrition: Major and micro elements necessary for plant growth; nutrient deficiencies and toxicities; fertilisers.

5. Water Management: Irrigation systems – characteristics, advantages and disadvantages; drainage systems; water wise gardening.

6. Pruning: Pruning techniques; importance of pruning to growth, flowering and fruiting; pruning tools.

7. Weeds: Identifying common weeds; characteristics of weeds; control techniques; herbicides.

8. Pests and Diseases: Identifying common insect and disease problems; control methods; Integrated Pest Management; pesticides; hygiene procedures; chemical safety.

9. Landscaping: Stages of landscaping; design procedures; collating pre-planning information; preparing plans; selecting plants for specified sites.

10. Propagation: Asexual and sexual propagation; taking cuttings; sowing seeds; aftercare of propagated plants.

11. Lawns: Turf grass varieties; laying a new lawn; cultural techniques including watering, fertilizing, topdressing, aerating, pest and disease control.

12. Arboriculture: Tree management techniques including pruning, removal and tree surgery; identifying tree problems.

Arboriculture I

There are eight lessons in this module, as follows:

1. Introduction To Arboriculture
2. Tree Biology
3. Soils In Relation To Trees
4. Diagnosing Tree Problems
5. Tree Surgery
6. Pruning Of Trees
7. Arboricultural Equipment
8. Workplace Health & Safety.

Turf Care

There are eleven lessons as follows:

1. Introduction - Turf Varieties
2. Turf Grass Physiology
3. Turf Establishment
4. Soils
5. Turf Weed Problems
6. Turf Pests & Diseases
7. Turf Maintenance Techniques
8. Irrigation - An Overview
9. Playing Fields & Bowling Greens
10. Managing Established Turf
11. Establishing Ornamental Turf

Irrigation

There are 10 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Irrigation
2. Soil Characteristics & Problems
3. Estimating Plant Needs & Irrigation Scheduling
4. Drainage
5. Types of Irrigation Systems
6. Trickle Systems
7. Design Specifications
8. Pumps & Filters
9. Selecting the Right System for a Plant
10. Design & Operation of Systems.

Biochemistry Plants
Biochemistry is the chemistry of living things. This introductory course concentrates on the chemistry of either animals or plants. Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it is not essential.

Lessons cover biochemical substances and terms, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, metabolism, the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, acidity and alkalinity, nutrition, hormones, chemical analysis and biochemical applications in the industry.

Workplace Health and Safety 
An important subject area applicable to all industries. This 
course covers the following topics: 

• Introduction to workplace health and safety, procedures, duty of care 
• Legislation
• Handling chemicals, including pesticides, cleaning chemicals, explosives, petrol
• Handling equipment: tools and machinery
• Handling objects: lifting, manual handling
• Standards and rules: safety audits, codes of practice
• Signs and signals: communicating in the presence of noise, eye problems, hazardous chemicals

Playground Design I

There are eight lessons in this unit as follows:

1. Overview of Parks & Playgrounds
2. Playground Philosophy
3. Preparing a Concept Plan
4. Materials
5. Park & Playground Structures and Materials
6. Local and Neighbourhood Parks
7. Community Participation In Park Development
8. Special Assignment.

Recreation Marketing
The course is divided into ten lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Marketing
2. Marketing Strategy
3. Media Promotions
4. Promotional Materials
5. Complaints
6. Managing Membership Levels
7. Sponsorship & Fundraising
8. Managing Events
9. Managing Promotional Activities
10. Market sensitive recreation services.

Recreation Management-Human Resources

Lessons are structured as follows:

1. Work Schedules
2. Work Teams
3. Workplace Efficiency
4. Recruitment
5. Staff Performance
6. Workplace Communications
7. Staff Grievances
8. Developing a Staff Manual

Recreation Management -Financial/Clerical

There are eight lessons as follows:

1. Financial Analysis
2. Budget Control
3. Legal Requirements
4. Funding Opportunities
5. Workplace Communications
6. Managing Documents
7. Managing a Resource Library
8. Managing Information Technology

WORKSHOPS

Workshop I

There are 3 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Workplace Tools, Equipment and Materials: Identifying and describing the operation of tools and equipment used in the workplace; routine maintenance of tools and equipment; identifying and comparing materials used in the workplace; using different materials to perform workplace tasks.

2. Workplace Skills: Determining key practical skills in the workplace; identifying and comparing commonly-performed workplace tasks; determining acceptable standards for workplace tasks; implementing techniques for improving workplace efficiency.

3. Workplace Safety: Identifying health and safety risks in the workplace; complying with industry OH&S standards; developing safety guidelines for handling dangerous items. 

Workshop II

Using problem-based learning (PBL) strategies you will complete three projects that address the following topics, relevant to your workplaces in your industry:

•  Identifying and analysing scientific or technical problems
•  Using and maintaining scientific or technical equipment
•  Collecting and storing samples, data or other evidence
•  Undertaking and evaluating scientific or technical procedures
•  Describing workplace operations and equipment in scientific laboratories or technical facilities

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Research Project I

There are 7 lessons as follows:

1.  Determining Research Needs
2.  Searching For Information
3.  Research Methods
4.  Using Statistics
5.  Conducting Statistical Research
6.  Research Reports
7.  Reporting On A Research Project.

 Research Project 2.

There are 6 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Identifying research issues
2. Acquisition of technical information
3. Specialised research techniques
4. Research planning and designing
5. Statistics
6. Conducting research

Research Project 3.

There are five lessons in this module as follows:
1. Determining research priorities.
2. Planning research improvement
3. Testing the viability of alternative approaches
4. Conducting detailed research into commercial work procedures
5. Developing an improved approach to a workplace procedure

INDUSTRY MEETINGS 

Requirements for Industry Meetings

Background

In some courses you are required to attend industry meetings for a specified period of time as part of your course. The purpose of this requirement will be to ensure you are interacting with people who are actively working within your industry, in an “real world” industry context.

Through this interaction, you will have opportunities to relate things you have studied to real life situations, broadening your outlook and relevance with respect to your studies. Industry meetings develop networking and learning opportunities beyond other areas of study and should bring a practical perspective to your education which enhances everything else you do in your course.

What is Acceptable

The school will accept attendance ant any event or meeting where you have opportunity to interact with people from your industry, which is attended by one or more people who are actively involved in your industry, and are knowledgeable about your industry, whether they be amateurs or professionals.

Examples may be:

• Joining and attending meetings of a professional association, institute, club, society or some other professional body.
• Attending meetings as an intern or assistant to a consultant or other professional person (whether a paid or voluntary position)
• Attending an exhibition, show, field days, festival or any other event.
• Attending committee meetings, or serving on a committee of any organization which provides opportunities to interact with others from your industry.
• Attendance at seminars, conferences or workshops which are attended by others from your industry.

You will normally make up your required hours by attending a variety of different events; for example: attending a week long conference might count for 50 to 60 hrs; and attending a trade show may count for 8 hours. Serving on a committee for 6 months may count for 3 to 4 hours per meeting.

Who Decides What to Attend?

You do!

As long as you can verify your attendance and the events can be seen as broadly satisfying the above criteria, it will be accepted,

When Do I Seek Approval?

After attending the events.

There is no need to seek approval or comment from an academic officer before attending meetings.

Career Tips

Qualifications are essential for furthering your career in Parks and Recreation, however there are many other things you can do to get ahead. These include:

• experience tips - unpaid or paid, experience is highly valued by future employers.
• networking tips - become a member of relevant parks networking groups and join website groups related to your field.
• membership - become a member of relevant groups in your field eg. a National Parks Association, or other professional body. This is another way to demonstrate your commitment to your career.