Environmental Sustainability

Working in the great outdoors is the dream of many. Combined with Australia’s temperate climate and unique, fragile environment, a qualification in environmental sustainability could be a pathway to a rewarding and practical lifestyle career.

Environmental professionals are in high demand – whether it be to rehabilitate a mine site, control weeds in national parks or to landscape new land developments. School leavers to mature aged people are attracted to this industry because of the wide range of employment options, high rate of employment, opportunity to work with machinery and nature, and importantly, to make a difference to the environment, climate change and sustainability.

Why study environmental sustainability at West Coast?

• Students can study horticulture and conservation and land management at the same time.
• Environmental sustainability and conservation is integrated in the course as well as studying waterwise techniques and the planting of natives.
• Practical, hands-on training and experience in every unit (unlike university which is more research and lab based). 80% of training is practical. Course includes 40 hours industry placement.
• Students are taken on various industry outings, enhancing their industry knowledge and developing their contacts. Students often find employment through networks made.
• Lecturing staff are specialists in their fields, still working in the industry and with current membership to relevant industry organisations.
• Industry connections ensure students have interesting and diverse work placement options.
  West Coast is small enough to be responsive to changing industry needs, but large enough to offer quality, professional and flexible training opportunities in environmental studies.

Courses to be run 2012

* indicates these courses are not available in Semester 2, 2012

Courses	Career Opportunities
S248 Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management	This certificate qualifies the graduate to work in an entry level assistant position with environmental agencies. It is also a pathway to Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.
D454 Certificate II in Horticulture	This certificate qualifies the graduate to work as a Horticultural Assistant in parks and gardens, nurseries and landscaping businesses. It is also a pathway to Certificate III in Horticulture.
* S337 Certificate II in Horticulture (Landscape)	This is an introductory certificate to landscaping. It looks at the construction and maintenance of domestic and commercial landscapes, the design of gardens and the rehabilitation and maintenance of urban bushland. It provides a pathway to Certificate III in Horticulture or Horticulture landscaping.
D480 Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management	This certificate qualifies the graduate to work in an entry level assistant position with environmental agencies. It is also a pathway to Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management.
S342 Certificate III in Horticulture	This certificate qualifies the graduate to work as a General Horticulturalist and is a pathway to Certificate IV in Horticulture.
* S345 Certificate III in Horticulture (Landscape)	The certificate goes further into the requirements of a landscaper. There is more emphasis on constructing different features for parks and gardens, irrigation and the care and maintenance of plants. The next step would be the Certificate IV in Horticulture – landscaping or work.
D508 Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management	This certificate is designed to reflect the role of team leaders and supervisors in the industry and leads to careers in land management, natural resource management, mine site rehabilitation, forestry and national parks including becoming a park ranger. It is a pathway to the Diploma of Conservation and Land Management.
S350 Certificate IV in Horticulture	Successful completion of this qualification plus suitable experience provides you with the opportunity to become a supervisor or go into self employment in the parks and gardens, landscape, turf, nursery, arboriculture, and floriculture industries, depending on subjects completed.
S353 Certificate IV in Horticulture (Landscape)	Successful completion of this qualification provides you with the opportunity to become a landscaping gardener or supervisor.
* S251 Diploma of Conservation and Land Management	Successful completion of this qualification and suitable experience provides you with the opportunity to become a manager in land management with environmental organisations.
S358 Diploma of Horticulture	Successful completion of this qualification plus suitable experience provides you with the opportunity to become a supervisor/manager or go into self employment in the parks and gardens, landscape, turf, nursery, arboriculture, and floriculture industries, depending on modules completed.
* S361 Diploma of Horticulture (Landscape)	Successful completion of this qualification provides you with the opportunity to become a landscape designer.

Contact: 08 9233 1800