Nursery Person (Garden Centre Supervisor)

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Garden Centre Supervisor. A Garden Centre Supervisor implements and coordinates retail activities and horticultural practices in a garden centre environment. A qualified learner will be able to: • Supervise the maintenance of hard and green goods and stock levels using product knowledge. • Provide specialised horticultural knowledge with regard to customer care and resolve point-of-sale issues. • Communicate with staff and management and organise garden centre activities in order to enhance productivity. • Promote the aesthetic appearance of the garden centre.

It is of vital importance that the South African workforce in the ornamental horticultural sector be up-skilled to become more knowledgeable, efficient and productive. The skills gained through this qualification will ensure that quality ornamental plants are produced and marketed to consumers. The qualification provides the opportunity for the learner at Level 3 to become conversant with the application of supervisory principles in the industry. One of the reasons why the above was targeted as one of the first qualifications to be developed in the primary agricultural sector, was because Supervision (as part of Management) had been identified as a Scarce and Critical skill in the AgriSETA sector skills plan and as such this project is in support of the national priorities of the AgriSETA. The occupation Garden Centre Supervisor indicates that this learner would have progressed in his/her career in the garden centre industry as worker to team leader and is now ready for further career progression to the workplace position of supervisor. This qualification provides learners with a comprehensive base of portable skills that will enable them to progress within all spheres of the horticultural industry. For those already employed in the industry, this qualification will offer learners the opportunity to hone their skills and receive recognition for their competencies. The qualification includes the skills necessary to monitor and maintain health and safety in the garden centres while addressing the nutritional needs of plants, controlling common pests in the horticultural environment, attending to the basic maintenance of grassed areas and shaping plants to promote flowering. A learner achieving this qualification will be able to work effectively and productively within garden centres within the field of horticulture. He/she will also be competent in supervising a team of workers as well as supervising the merchandising processes of the garden centre. For those wishing to enter the industry, whether unemployed or as an Entrepreneur, this qualification offers a solid foundation in all aspects of the horticultural industry. This qualification represents a vital step in the development of a career and learning pathway of individuals, both from a vocational point of view, as well as from a learning point of view.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related Curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a Statement of Results or certifying a Work Experience Record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • A minimum of two years' experience as garden centre worker; or a minimum of two years' experience as garden centre team leader; and Literacy and Numeracy equivalent to ABET 3.

• Apply sound written and verbal communication skills when dealing with customers, members of the work team and management.
• Apply horticultural knowledge to plant care.
• Provide the correct product range to satisfy customer needs.
• Identify hard and green goods in a garden centre.
• Supervise a worker team and apply supervisory skills to achieve targets.
• Sell a range of products to enhance the customer experience and increase profits.
• Demonstrate good housekeeping practices.
• Present and merchandise products in a garden centre.
• Manage stock.