Study plant retail, nursery operations, and garden centre management online. Earn an ICOES-accredited Certificate of Achievement in around 200 hours.
Study plant retail, nursery operations, and garden centre management online. Earn an ICOES-accredited Certificate of Achievement in around 200 hours.
Practical, job-relevant skills for these roles. As a professional development course, it builds capability in this field rather than guaranteeing a specific role or salary.
Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.
Topic 1Introduction to Garden CentreTopic 2Plant HealthTopic 3Stock MaintenanceTopic 4Display and Display TechniquesTopic 5Garden Product Knowledge ITopic 6Garden Product Knowledge IITopic 7Indoor PlantsTopic 8Container StockTopic 9Seedlings, Bulbs, Herbs and PerennialsTopic 10Deciduous Trees, Fruit, Nuts and BerriesTopic 11Marketing Management (Garden Centre)Topic 12Nursery Site Organisation ManagementTopic 13Nutrition and Pest ManagementTopic 14Growing MediaTopic 15IrrigationTopic 16Modifying Plant GrowthTopic 17Marketing Strategies (Wholesale Nursery)Topic 18Introduction to Horticultural MarketingTopic 19Horticultural Marketing ProcessesTopic 20Horticultural Marketing MethodsTopic 21Customer Service (Horticultural Marketing)Topic 22Horticultural Marketing ResearchTopic 23Developing an Advertising ProgramTopic 24Developing a Horticultural Marketing StrategyWhat you’ll typically need to get started.
Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.
Courses are accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office. The Career Academy is also a member of the International Approval & Recognition Council (IARC). Upon completion, students receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Students have unlimited access to tutor support via phone and email during business hours throughout their course.
Study whenever suits you with 6 months access and approximately 200 hours of learning. No exams, ever.
Upon enrolment, students receive instant access to the Career Centre including latest job opportunities, CV templates, a free personalised CV review, job tips, and interview preparation support.
Optional upgrade offering expert career coaching, a personalised career plan, LinkedIn profile review, and proven job success strategies.
Enrolees receive a free virtual Student ID Card providing access to over 150,000 discounts on food, entertainment, travel and more in New Zealand and internationally.
Free access to over 50 eBook titles to enhance learning and knowledge.
Upon completion, students can verify their qualification via SEEK Pass and share it on SEEK to stand out to employers as a qualified, job-ready candidate.
Free access to over 50 eBook titles to enhance learning and knowledge.
Free CV and LinkedIn profile reviews, interview coaching, and personalised career planning…
The Career Academy offers an online Career Centre providing career coaching, CV reviews, interview preparation, job search resources, and LinkedIn profile reviews. Students have access to a Career Success Hub, Business Hub, and Self Service Resource Hub. The centre includes one-to-one coaching from dedicated career support staff and is available to all students during and after their studies.
A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.
“Hiromi found the perfect work-life balance after enrolling in The Career Academy's Certificate in Bookkeeping. As a busy mum, the flexibility of online study allowed her to pursue her dream career while caring for her family. Upon completing her course, she secured a role with The Back Office Company and began her journey in a new profession.”
“Cameron Young transformed his passion for dogs into a successful mobile dog grooming service. With everything from a full grooming table to a hydro-bath, he brings the salon directly to his client's homes. Cameron's journey started with The Career Academy's Diploma in Dog Grooming, which equipped him with the skills and confidence to launch his business.”
This course covers the practical knowledge behind running a successful nursery or garden centre. Students learn plant care, retail operations, stock management, customer service, and the business skills needed to work confidently in horticultural retail.
Delivered by The Career Academy NZ, the course suits people entering the garden retail sector or those already working in it who want to formalise their knowledge. There are no exams, and no prior experience is required to enrol.
Study is fully online and self-paced, with around 200 hours of learning and 6 months of course access. Students receive unlimited tutor support by phone and email during business hours, plus access to the Career Centre, a personalised CV review, and a SEEK Pass verified credential on completion.
Enquire about this course and a course advisor from The Career Academy NZ will be in touch with pricing and next steps.
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Last updated: July 2026