Gardener specialising in ornamental horticulture

About the profession

Gardeners have a variety of tasks. As an educational and research institution, Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin is also active in the field of horticulture, alongside many other areas of research. Gardeners work closely with researchers. They propagate, cultivate, fertilise and prune plants and carry out targeted cultivation measures. During their training, they learn how to use computer-aided systems for irrigation, ventilation and fertilisation.

Prerequisites

For the apprenticeship, you should have at least an advanced vocational training qualification or an equivalent level of education. In addition, the ability to work in a team, a sense of responsibility, good physical resilience and a desire to work predominantly outdoors are a prerequisite for the apprenticeship. A sound knowledge of maths and biology as well as an interest in nature and the environment are also suitable for this profession.

Training content

Practical training

The practical training mainly takes place in the teaching and research centre of the Albrecht-Daniel-Thaer-Institute at the Humboldt University.

The following knowledge and skills are taught:

• Cultivation of ornamental plants, timely and environmentally friendly production in the greenhouse and outdoors
• Propagating, potting, planting and growing ornamental plants
• Cultivating ornamental plants on time and in an environmentally friendly manner
• Select soils, fertilisers, seeds and young plants and use them in a targeted manner
• Harvesting and storing ornamental plants
• Preparing ornamental plants for the market, packaging and preparing them for transport
• Carry out vegetation work and carry out activities independently while respecting nature and environmental protection
• Observing occupational health and safety in the workplace
• Understanding and assessing operational processes and economic relationships
• Using and maintaining machines, equipment and operating facilities
• Working and maintaining the floor
• Assessing, using and storing soils and substrates
• Using plants and plant products in accordance with their requirements
• Recognising and adhering to quality standards while taking economic efficiency into account

During the course of the apprenticeship, various internships take place in horticultural businesses. Training content that we cannot offer in practice, such as marketing, customer advice and sales as well as mass production of plants, is taught in co-operation with horticultural businesses.

During the 3-year training programme, 4 courses are compulsory at the Lehranstalt f¨¹r Gartenbau und Arboristik Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. on the following topics: Basics of propagation, basics of technology, basics of plant protection, sales and counselling.

Theory

The theoretical training takes place at the OSZ "Peter Lenn¨¨" in Berlin.

The intermediate examination takes place during the 2nd year of training.

The final examination takes place at the end of the third year of training before the examination board of the competent authority according to BBiG, Senate Department for Integration, Labour and Social Affairs.

Training duration and salary

Duration of training: 3 years

Payment (according to TVA-L BBiG):

• in the 1st year of training € 1,236.82
• in the 2nd year of training € 1,290.96
• in the 3rd year of training € 1,340.61

Training time: 39 hours 24 minutes per week

Holiday: 30 days per year