Advanced Certificate in Applied Management (Retail Nursery)

This qualification covers the essentials of running a retail nursery, including horticultural marketing, garden centre management and horticultural research, alongside a core grounding in general horticulture. Electives let you add skills in areas such as indoor plants, greenhouse management or logistics, depending on your particular business. Suitable for anyone managing or planning to open a garden centre or retail nursery.

Manage or Supervise Within the Nursery Industry. This course is a must for any serious student in this field! This course trains managers or supervisors rather than workers. The course has been written to teach horticulture in a way that is relevant to all parts of the world. It puts aside regional techniques, and teaches you principles and concepts that can be applied anywhere. There are 7 units plus a 200 hour workplace project in this course. These are the 4 core units common to all streams of this Advanced Certificate (plus three specialist units of study relating to the management and operation of a retail nursery). Course Structure and Content This course is comprised of: Core Studies - Four units (400 hours) of compulsory subjects for all students. Stream Studies – Three stream units for the development of knowledge in a chosen industry sector. Project - Elective Modules – Students are to complete a workplace project of 200 hours relevant to their field of study. The project specifically aims to provide the student with the opportunity to apply and integrate skills and knowledge developed through various areas of formal study. Core Studies Totalling 400 hours of study, all four of these modules must be studied and passed. Office Practices VBS102 For a business to function correctly on a day to day basis, it is vital that offices and departments operate efficiently, with well- motivated staff who can provide the appropriate support for the business. This 8 lesson module looks at core areas which contribute to the smooth running of an office. Lessons include verbal and instant communications – face to face, inter-employee and with clients, and electronically; written communications – such as the writing of business letters and reports, and memorandums; the use of electronic mediums – organising data, and use of software; how to make the best use of office space; health and safety considerations. This module will provide the student with practical skills and knowledge that they can apply directly to their work. Business Operations VBS006 Through 6 lessons, this module aims to provide the student with the building blocks in business planning and operations. The module covers areas of business law, finance and financial management, business planning, and mistakes to avoid in business. The module is driven from a financial perspective as this is primarily what business is about – making the investment, planning the financial outlay balanced against expected income, and making a profit on your activities. The process of considering a business from a financial and operational perspective, coupled with students developing a (real or hypothetical) business plan will focus the student on the key areas which enable a business to maintain viability. Management VBS105 A lack of good management can seriously impact upon the viability of a company or enterprise. This 7 lesson module explores the facets that contribute towards good management. Students will consider the structures of different organisations and look at different theories and practices of management. Managers will face different challenges and the module will take them through different styles of management and how to address, resolve, and act upon problems. From taking the decision to employ the people most suited to roles and the company culture, to determining the best ways to managing staff, this module aims to provide a complete overview of the critical elements of management. Marketing Systems BBS303 Marketing Systems is a 10 lesson module which looks at the stages involved with marketing products or services to retail and wholesale markets. The module looks at the different channels available to market a product and students will learn to evaluate and assess the most effective methods to achieve the required sales. As well as looking at the different marketing systems and strategies that can be used, areas such as product presentation and packaging are considered, and the areas where products should be marketed – might they be suitable for exporting to other markets? There are two lessons which consider international marketing, strategies to use in new markets, and potential restrictions which may impact on these. Lessons on Market Analysis and the Marketing Mix provide the additional concepts to provide students with a good grounding of knowledge in the approaches to marketing products or services. Stream Studies The Stream Studies comprise three modules representing around 300 hours of study. Horticulture I BHT101 This 13 lesson module provides students with an all-round introduction to Horticulture. Students will gain a solid grounding in the principals and good practices of horticulture, whilst also developing practical skills which will enable them to apply what they have learned. The module covers core areas of the subject including plant identification, planting, soil types and soil nutrition, plant nutrition, water management, pest and diseases, landscaping, and maintenance. Garden Centre Management BHT255 This is a 12 lesson module which will provide students with a thorough insight into the management of a garden centre. Students will learn about how to set up and display products and plants, and will learn to understand how to maximise not only sales, but also staff productivity. Understanding the products on sale is important, and accordingly the module focuses on the central topic of plants, teaching students about such important aspects as plant health and maintaining and extending stock life. Sales Skills VBS108 This 12 lesson module looks at different sales propositions – from selling yourself to selling a product. Students will look at the different elements involved in the selling process, how to communicate, planning, creating the right environment for a sale and how to conclude it. As well as the opening a closing of a sale, the course includes lessons on stress management, the law and selling, and concludes with a look at how to produce accurate and convincing reports. How The Advanced Certificate Is Assessed The Advanced Certificate In Applied Management (Retail Nursery) requires approximately 900 hours of study. It is made up of seven 100 hour modules and a workplace project lasting 200 hours. To pass the course – Pass all assignments on the seven 100 hour modules. There will be an assignment at the end of each lesson to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback. Pass seven examinations – one on each module. These are usually taken at the end of the module and can be arranged at a time and location to suit you. Complete a Workplace Project. The project should last around 200 hours. There are four options available to you to satisfy this requirement. Don’t worry if you are not sure at this stage, your tutor will be there to help you every step of the way. Why Study With ACS Our courses are written and taught by experienced professionals, so you know you can expect a high quality of teaching and support. You can start the course at any time and study at your own pace. Fit your studies around your own busy lifestyle - we provide full tutor support for all the time you are studying. Study where you want to - online or eLearning (USB Memory Stick) options of study offer the flexibility for you to determine where and when you study. The Benefits Of Studying This Course This is an extremely comprehensive course. Through the Stream Studies, it covers a relevant selection of horticulture based modules under the elective component, but being a management based course the key focus in the Core Studies is on developing a thorough understanding of how to run a business and promote it. The Project - Elective element of the course applies a students learning in real world situations through research, work experience or other such activity. This both strengthens what they have learned and expands their awareness and builds a greater relevance into the whole course. Who Is This Course For? The Advanced Certificate In Applied Management (Retail Nursery) will appeal to owners and operators of nurseries as well as to key staff in those operations. Take this course to bring success to a retail nursery or related business. Those completing this course are likely to be working or looking to work in the following fields: Nursery and Propagation. Nursery Management. Horticulture Management. Supervisory and Foreman roles. Retail Nursery owner/operator. Market Gardening. Crops Management. Hydroponics Management Learn More Enrolling is easy - just go to the box at the top right-hand side of this page; you can enrol today. If you have any questions, or need help in choosing the right course for you please do get in touch with us - by phone on (UK) 01384 442752, or (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or Connect with our expert tutors, use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE.