Lincoln University’s new horticultural qualifications are designed to create business leaders for a thriving industry.
The Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) is a three-year degree with a practical work component, allowing students to learn first-hand the skills required to help drive the future growth of the food producing sectors.
Alternatively, for those already working in the industry, the 12-month Diploma in Horticultural Business will broaden students’ business capabilities so they can further their careers.
The New Zealand horticulture sector is thriving and on track to generate $10 billion this year, with the increase driven by a strong growth in exports.
Employers desperately need professionals who have horticultural business know-how and Lincoln University’s strong applied horticultural knowledge and research base offer the ideal environment to train new students.
Lincoln University’s Professor Alison Bailey says the goal of the Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) programme is to offer management skills that directly apply to the specific and complex nature of the horticultural industry.
“Extensive feedback from industry suggests that higher level academic training will be needed for managerial staff.”
Career opportunities include management and advisory positions in the horticultural industry or food-related organisations, with the potential to move into a governance role.
“Business skills are also needed in associated areas such as the agrochemical, fertiliser and horticultural technology industries, so there will be a wide range of career possibilities open to students when they graduate,” Professor Bailey says.
The Diploma in Horticultural Business is delivered mainly online, so students can continue working as they study. Three face-to-face events, including a workshop and a field trip, will be held during the year to allow for hands-on learning and networking.
“The programme has been designed to offer business skills that can immediately be put into practice, with exposure to real-world industry case studies and a problem-based learning approach,” Professor Bailey says.
No tertiary experience is necessary to be eligible for the diploma and once students have completed it, they’ll be set to become a business leader in strategic management, consultancy or sustainable growing.
Industry leaders have expressed their excitement about both programmes, saying that they are desperately needed to provide more expertise to the sector.
Students should apply now to begin growing their careers.
* The Diploma in Horticultural Business is part of the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund, meaning that until the end of 2022, the programme will be free to domestic students. For more information about this, see the fees section of our website.