CERES School of Nature and Climate is committed to providing innovative programs in the areas of horticulture, permaculture, hospitality and environmental education that meet the diverse needs of our varied learners. CERES offers the following types of VET programs:

1. Accredited
2. Pre-accredited
3. Non-accredited

You can read more about these different course types below.

VET Programs are designed to provide you with the opportunities to:

• Gain practical entry level industry skills and experience under the guidance of industry experts.
• Build on and further develop existing industry knowledge and experience.
• Explore and get a taste of a range of possible industry training and employment pathways.

VET programs are available to Adults and Students in Years 10, 11 and 12.

We also offer a service, Learning Pathways, in which you can consult with our experienced staff in understanding your options and opportunities in learning. Learn more on our Learning Pathways page  (or access through the Services And More menu above).

CERES is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO TOID 3686) and currently offers the nationally recognised Certificate II in Horticulture (AHC20416) and the Permaculture Demonstrator Skill Set (AHCSS000048).

PLEASE NOTE: we are only able to enrol domestic students in these courses. Read the full RTO FEES and Refund Policy HERE.

Cert II in Horticulture (AHC20416)

Undertaking the Cert II in Horticulture at CERES provides students with a range of skills and units that are transferable to further study or a career in horticulture and other allied fields such as parks and gardens, nurseries and landscaping. Students may be involved in propagation, planting and pruning trees and shrubs, landscaping and building, plant and weed identification, laying irrigation systems, harvesting plants and applying environmentally sustainable work practices. This course is perfect for students who enjoy working outdoors. CERES Community Environment Park, a 4.5 hectare farm in East Brunswick, provides the perfect outdoor classroom for a hands-on, immersion learning experience. Our Honey Lane Organic Market Garden, Propagation Area, Permaculture and Bushfood Nursery and extensive productive site provide a unique learn scape for students. Horticulture students are involved in the full garden cycle from planting the seed to harvesting the crops and building and landscaping projects.

We also offer 3 units selected from the Certificate II in Horticulture (AHC20416) and the Certificate II in Permaculture ( AHC21716) as a Taster program for individual adults who are not sure as to whether accredited training is for them, or whether Horticulture is the right pathway or who are simply not able to commit to a full course at this stage. Further information for this Introduction to Horticulture program including dates and fees can be downloaded here: Intro to Horticulture and Permaculture Course Information 2023

This 4 unit Skill Set equips learners with the basic knowledge and practice of permaculture principles, how to select and maintain permaculture plant and animal systems, and ultimately how to research, communicate and demonstrate permaculture practices to learners. This skill set was designed to teach you how to understand and teach about permaculture. It is perfect for teachers in schools, community educators, people with passion for permaculture or who want to build their confidence and practice in sharing knowledge with others.

The course gives you a 4 unit credit in Cert III in Permaculture and qualifies you to teach Cert I and II Permaculture levels in combination with a Cert IV Training and Assessment. Further information for this Permaculture Demonstrator Skill Set program including dates and fees can be downloaded here: PDSS Course information 2023

CERES is an approved Learn Local Organisation (LLO) registered with the Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board. ACFE funds places on approved pre-accredited courses for those who meet eligibility criteria. You may be eligible for a subsided place in one of these course. More information on ACFE subsidy here.

These short courses run over 8 to 14 sessions and are designed to provide industry tasters and stepping stones into further training and/or employment.

Courses available to eligible students through this program are:

• Sustainable Gardening – an introductory course to the basics of sustainable horticulture methods and principles
• Complete Urban Farmer – this course focuses on a range of components of organic urban food production including permaculture principles, beekeeping
• Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture – Learn about the wide variety of techniques and processes where gardens and garden based activities are used to support the physical, mental and social health of individuals
• Introduction to Landscaping and Garden Maintenance – Learn the basics of how to design, create and maintain a garden
• Environmental Education – Provides skills in environmental management, education, behaviour change and communication
• Landscape Restoration and Indigenous Ecology an introduction to conserving ecosystems and creating sustainable urban landscapes
• Circular Economy & Zero Waste Systems – explore opportunities in the ‘circular economy’ through innovative sustainable design and practices.

If you want a focus on practical skills in Horticulture and Hospitality a tailored non-accredited program that meets the needs of your students is a great option.

CERES Community Environment Park is a 4.5 hectare green oasis in East Brunswick located on Merri Creek. We have a range of social enterprises on-site such as our Honey Lane Farm, Merri Café, the CERES Bushfood and Native Nursery, CERES Propagation and our CERES Market and Grocery. Our non-accredited VET programs provide a unique opportunity for students to learn in this vibrant and supported learning environment. These non-accredited programs can be offered to Years 10, 11, and 12 students and those with special needs.

Enquires

Call 9389 0127 or email karen.mengell@ceres.org.au

Note For Secondary School Students

Your school class can request to have an Excursion to CERES or an Incursion by CERES at your school. More information is provided on our site.

Note For Schools – VETDSS & tailored group programs

We currently offer tailored programs for school groups as well as a Wednesday VETDSS program for individual Years 10-12 students undertaking VET or VCAL.