URBAN HORTICULTURE
Educational Curriculum
VET High School Program in Urban Horticulture
Program type: Vocational Education and Training (VET) – high school and post-secondary education
Qualification awarded: Technician in Urban Horticulture
Target group: Students aged 14–25 interested in sustainability, environment, food production and green urban development.
Training units:
- Unit 1: Climate change - Course (5 – 6 hours) & Laboratory/Practical Training (5 – 6 h)
- Unit 2: Traditional practices in UH - Course (7 – 8 h) & Laboratory/Practical Training (7 – 8 h)
- Unit 3: Organic horticulture - Course (8 – 9 h) & Laboratory/Practical Training (8 – 9 h)
- Unit 4: Digital technology - Course (8 – 10 h) & Laboratory/Practical Training (8 – 10 h)
- Unit 5: European production standards - Course (6–7 h) & Laboratory/Practical Training (6–7 h)
Total time allocated for training: 68 – 80 hours.
Program Rationale
Urban horticulture is an increasingly important field that supports food security, environmental sustainability, climate resilience and quality of life in cities. This program prepares students with practical skills and theoretical knowledge to design, implement, and maintain green spaces and food-producing systems in urban environments.
Graduates can work in:
- Urban farms and community gardens
- Landscaping and green infrastructure companies
- Municipal green services
- Greenhouse production
- Environmental NGOs
- Self-employment / small businesses
- Horticultural companies which use digital equipment and technologies.
Key Competencies Developed
Students completing the program will be able to:
- Apply principles of plant biology and soil science in urban contexts
- Climate change adaptation and resilience
- Design and manage urban gardens and green spaces
- Use sustainable cultivation techniques (organic practices, water conservation, composting)
- Operate tools, irrigation systems, and basic machinery safely
- Propagate plants (seeds, cuttings, grafting)
- Manage pests and diseases using integrated methods
- Apply digital tools for planning, monitoring, and marketing
- Communicate effectively with clients and community stakeholders
- Develop entrepreneurial initiatives in urban horticulture