The university’s TAFE sales and marketing manager Bill Mundy said the university would introduce Certificate III in Horticulture at its Wimmera campus in Horsham in response to a growing demand for people qualified in the field.

“It’s part of a push to effectively deliver more courses into the Wimmera campus which are attuned to the needs of the community,” he said. 

“What we’ve done is look to understand the community’s needs as far as things like horticulture, nursing or community services are concerned, and ensure we are delivering courses that meet the workforce needs of those industries.”

Certificate III in Horticulture teaches skills including  planning plant displays, operating machinery, pruning and propagating plants. 

The qualification can help people gain entry to a number of different careers, including landscaping, and employment in businesses such as parks and gardens and local government.

The university will host an information session at the Wimmera Campus on Wednesday between noon and 1pm.

Mr Mundy said the institution planned to introduce more courses tailored to the region’s labor needs across this year.

“We’ve been able to identify there is certainly a need to provide community services training for Cert III, IV and Diploma, and we will certainly be looking to offer qualifications in those areas across the Wimmera as we move into 2019,” he said.

It comes after the university hosted a community services and health industry consultation in Horsham in September to determine training needs and skills gaps in the Wimmera.

Mr Mundy said any industry seeking to discuss courses and workforce requirements could contact the university on skillsandjobs@federation.edu.au or call the FedUni TAFE Skills and Jobs Centre on 5327 6540.