Education · 1 of 4

The path

A Red Seal apprenticeship or a college diploma, or a crew job that grows into a career.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 with biology, math and shop. Some school boards offer landscaping and horticulture courses.

2. 2

   Start on a crew

   Any spring

   Landscape companies hire every spring. Garden centres and golf courses hire students. Get a driver's licence first.

3. 3

   Register an apprenticeship (optional)

   3 years

   Ontario calls the trade Horticultural Technician (code 441C). Register with Skilled Trades Ontario, SkilledTradesBC or your province's authority. Ontario requires 6,120 hours: 5,400 on the job plus 720 in school.

4. 4

   Or a college diploma

   2 years

   2-year horticulture or landscape technician programs at Niagara College, Humber, Fanshawe, Olds College in Alberta, Kwantlen Polytechnic University in BC and others. Often combined with the apprenticeship.

5. 5

   Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal

   After your hours

   Pass the exam. The Red Seal title is Landscape Horticulturist.