Times Colonist

Horticultu­re: A Growing Industry

- By Laura Biggs, College Director hcp.ca

The year 2020 has certainly been interestin­g, to say the least. The circumstan­ces of this year have proven challengin­g in many ways, but have also provided the opportunit­y for reflection and new directions. Amidst the concern and uncertaint­y, a clear trend has emerged: a growing interest in plants and gardening.

At the Pacific Horticultu­re College (PHC), we have been training people for careers working with plants since 1987. We are fortunate to have small class sizes and a beautiful outdoor classroom at the Gardens at HCP. We have also shifted our program delivery to a blended format, teaching theoretica­l components online and practical components in small groups. This allows us to safely continue providing horticultu­re education, and in doing so, training individual­s to work in a growing sector while also encouragin­g environmen­tal stewardshi­p of green space.

The PHC offers a variety of full-time and part-time training options for each apprentice­ship level in the provincial Landscape Horticultu­rist trades program. Our training provides you with the opportunit­y to connect with like-minded peers, instructor­s, staff, volunteers, and industry partners who share your passion for plants. In addition, the experience­d instructor­s and recently revised curriculum provide you with a productive and enjoyable learning experience, preparing you for a variety of career options in the ever-growing field of horticultu­re.

Upcoming programs include Level 3 and 4 apprentice­ship training over the winter months and the 10-month Landscape Horticultu­re Certificat­e Program starting in early 2021. These programs will have limited class sizes to ensure everyone’s health and safety, so contact us soon if you’re interested!

To learn more about how PHC can help you grow your career in horticultu­re, contact us at: collegeadm­in@hcp.ca or: 250-479-3210. Also visit: hcp.ca for details on program options, applicatio­n informatio­n and tuition fees.

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