Self-test: Is the course "Gardener with a Federal Certificate in Production (BP)" the right one for me?
Test here whether the job profile "Gardener with a Federal Certificate of Competence in Production" (formerly Head Gardener BP) suits you and whether a part-time preparatory course is the right path for you.
What is the day-to-day work of a gardener with a federal certificate in production like?
Gardeners with a federal certificate plan and organize the production of plant crops from cultivation to the end product and align crop management with production targets. They define work processes, draw up deployment plans for employees and ensure efficient utilization of machinery and equipment. If damage occurs to the plants, they determine the cause of the damage and implement the appropriate measures. To instruct employees and train apprentices, they describe the development processes of plants and the effect of growth factors on plant production processes.
They sell their horticultural services to private and business customers and organize the implementation. In the sales area, they advise customers on the appropriate use and care of plants and inform them about the properties and possible uses of materials, supplies and equipment for plants and the garden. As a manager in the company, gardeners continuously analyze and improve the processes in procurement, production, sales and advice. They plan sales promotion measures, implement them and check their effectiveness. You will find employment as a production gardener in nurseries, horticultural businesses, in retail or in garden centers.
The following areas of work are typical for gardener production:
- Directing, monitoring and controlling work in the cultivation of ornamental plants, shrubs or perennials
- Determine material requirements and organize purchasing
- Check deliveries
- Create deployment plans for personnel
- Responsibility for the quality of work and compliance with regulations
- Writing work reports
- Create invoices
- Advice and support for customers
- Personnel and administrative management tasks, instruction of employees, training of apprentices
- Planning and calculation of production and sales
- Organization and management of plant sales
- Advice for customers
- Contact with suppliers and major customers
- Market analyses, tracking demand development, marketing and sales promotion tasks
Question 1:
Do the activities meet your expectations? Can you imagine working as a gardener in production?
If you like the actual job of gardener production, you can assume that you are on the right track. The next step is to decide which type of training is right for you in order to acquire the relevant skills.
Even if you don't like all the tasks involved in gardener production, it could still be the right job for you. Because in almost every job there are also less interesting tasks to be done. However, the majority of tasks as a gardener with a federal certificate in production should interest you.
Take a look at descriptions of similar job profiles - perhaps a different degree would suit you better:
- Farm Manager Vegetable Growing (BP)
- Farm Manager (BP)
- Retail trade specialist (BP)
- Florist (BP)
- Foreman (BP)
- Forester HF
- Gardener specializing in gardening and landscaping (BP)
- Janitor (BP)
- Nature and environment specialist (BP)
- Higher technical college HF in construction management with specialization in gardening and landscaping
- With a vocational baccalaureate:Bachelor's degree FH in landscape architecture
- Gamekeeper
If you don't like the activities, it might be interesting to see which parts of the tasks you don't like so much. Is it the entrepreneurial part, the acquisition of orders and the administrative tasks? Or is it the management and supervision of employees as a production gardener?
Depending on your answer, you could look in job advertisements to see if there are jobs with a different distribution of tasks, or you could be inspired by other similar jobs. If you are generally unsure about your desired job, we can help you with ourAdvisorhelp you find your own calling.
Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for gardeners with a federal certificate in production suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The gardener production training is aimed at the following people:
- Gardener EFZ and gardener EFZ who would like to continue their professional training
- Completed basic training in the green sector and gained initial work experience in production
- skilled workers in the executive area of a plant production company who would like to take on a management role
The following skills and characteristics are required for a successful job as a production gardener:
- Interest in nature, interest in plants, powers of observation
- Service and customer awareness
- Quality awareness
- Communicativeness
- Sales talent
- Independent and flexible
- Imagination
- Efficient way of working
- Organizational skills and reliability
- Resilience and weather resistance
- Practical aptitude and manual dexterity
- Leadership qualities
- Technical understanding, interest in motorized devices and machines
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for gardener production training?
If you belong to the target group and you have the necessary skills and characteristics, then the Gardener Production course is still an option for you. The course still seems to fit your expectations.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot apply directly for the federal certificate as a gardener in production. Entry opportunities in the area ofGarden designare numerous and may offer alternative educational opportunities that may interest you even more or suit you better.
- If you do not have the necessary skills and qualities for the job description of a gardener production trainee, you will probably not be good and satisfied in such a role. Look for alternative apprenticeships in the green sector.
- If you are still unsure about your professional development, contact experienced people such as career advisors for targeted advice or coaching:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination in garden production:
The following prerequisites are required for admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a production gardener:
- Apprenticeship qualification with a federal certificate of competence as a gardener in production or equivalent qualification
- and at least 2 years of professional experience in production
or
- Apprenticeship qualification with a federal certificate of proficiency in another profession
- and at least 5 years of professional experience in production
and
- Proof of the required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence
If demand is high, some schools select course participants according to criteria such as professional experience, previously completed further training and grades in the qualification procedure.
You will be informed in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination in gardener production - in the event of rejection, including reasons and information on legal remedies.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for training as a production gardener? And are you confident that you can cope with the additional courses required?
If you meet the requirements, you can start training as a production gardener at the earliest possible date. You will then be admitted to the professional examination.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience is sufficient, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theJardin Suisse Swiss Gardeners' Association.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for gardeners in production, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you know someone who is employed in landscaping, ask them for help in finding a job.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination after training as a gardener in production with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you have not completed your basic vocational training, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are unsure whether your qualifications and professional experience are sufficient, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theJardin Suisse Swiss Gardeners' Association.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for gardeners in production, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you know someone who is employed in landscaping, ask them for help in finding a job.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination after training as a gardener in production with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you have not completed your basic vocational training, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the further training course for production gardeners:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the vocational examination for gardeners with a specialist certificate in production is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, theJardin Suisse Swiss Gardeners' Association.
The learning content of the gardener training in production is divided into the following topics:
- Compulsory modules for all:
- Vocational trainer in the training company
- Basics of health protection and occupational safety
- Communication and customer relations
- Employee management and team leadership
- Soil care, plant protection, plant care and nutrition
- Compulsory modules for the production specialization:
- Plant knowledge and use
- Managing and looking after plant cultures
- Practice-oriented sales
- Work organization in production
- Two optional modules of your choice e.g:
- Site-appropriate, aesthetic plant design
- Vessel greening
- Biological engineering structures
- Gardening services
- Pruning fruit trees
- Sales Green sector
- Care of small-crowned trees and solitary topiaries
- Organic cultivation in plant production
- Tree inspection
- Permaculture, biodynamic and regenerative cultivation
Question 4:
Are you interested in the contents of the gardener further training in production and would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Perfect, the content suits you perfectly. With the skills you have learned, you can score points on the job market and increase your salary prospects. You can now find out more about the structure and concept of the production training course for gardeners from the training institutes.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the gardener production apprenticeship, then this course is probably not the right one for you. Then take a look at other training and further education opportunities in theGarden design areathat suit you better due to the content taught.
Obviously, the typical course content for a gardener with a federal certificate in production is not for you. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training:
The costs vary depending on the provider and duration of the gardener production apprenticeship. On average, these amounts are to be expected for the training costs:
- Course fees:between CHF 12'500.- and CHF 16'700.-
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*. - Examination fees:CHF 1,600 (as at: 2023)
The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the Production Gardener examination. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim qualifications, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the further education course in gardener production.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as the production training for gardeners have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance between CHF 12,500 and CHF 16,700 for the Gardener Production course and CHF 1,600 for the exam, depending on the course and provider?
Great! Here's another tip: If you would be able to pay the entire amount for the Gardener Production course in advance, many schools will grant you a discount.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect for the gardener production training. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of the gardener production training and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First find out from the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect for the production gardener course. Then find out from your employer whether they will contribute to the costs and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project to become a gardener with a federal certificate with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of teaching hours and learning effort for gardener training in production:
- The gardener training in production has a modular structure and lasts 2 to 3 semesters. It comprises around 650 lessons.
- The teaching times vary depending on the provider of the gardener production training. Classroom teaching usually takes place on one day during the week (usually Fridays) and on Saturday mornings.
- Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online teaching (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the production training course for gardeners, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for lesson preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow at least 3 to 5 hours per week.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successful graduation.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for the classroom lessons and homework for the production training course for gardeners?
If you are confident that you can cope with the teaching hours and the learning effort, you should start a gardener production apprenticeship. At most, you can consider whether you can achieve even better results with suitable learning and working methods and a learning plan. Efficient learning methods pay off in any case.
If you cannot devote as much time to gardener production training, check with the providers whether the training can be spread over more than five years. Or can you find other ways to make room for yourself? Perhaps you can hand over certain tasks during the training period?
Degree, diploma and title:
The professional examination "Gardener with a Federal Certificate of Competence in Production" takes place annually, provided at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.
Candidates for the professional examination in gardener production are notified at least 4 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The professional examination for gardeners in production comprises the following two parts:
- Project work
on an order or project in the field of production carried out by the company or by a guest company- Written documentation (prior: written and practical)
- covers a sub-area of the field of work
- the execution of an order in plant production, the plant trade or parts thereof
- Documenting the order and its execution
- Recording the basics for operational evaluation
- Draw conclusions for optimization
- Presentation and technical discussions on the project work (oral, 30 min.)
- Work on tasks covering the entire field of activity of a gardener specializing in production using a case study
- Viewing and evaluating the specifications, organizing and preparing the execution, estimating the personnel and time requirements and creating aids for execution
- process and solve based on practice-oriented principles and industry-standard tools
- Record solutions in writing
Diploma and title "Gardener Production"
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Gardener with a federal certificate, specializing in production" or "Gardener with a federal certificate, specializing in production".
- In French: "Horticulteur avec brevet fédéral, orientation production", "Horticultrice avec brevet fédéral, orientation production"
- In Italian: "Giardiniere con attestato professionale federale, orientation paysagisme", "Giardiniera con attestato professionale federale, orientation paysagisme"
- In English: "Gardener, Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Specialization: Production" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for gardeners with a federal certificate, specializing in production?
Good, you are confident that you will successfully complete the professional examination following your training as a production gardener. Think about where you can best ensure the transfer of practical experience. Which learning and working methods are most efficient for you?
If you are unsure about a successful conclusion, we recommend the following:
- oneInformation eventof the favored educational institute
- onepersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice for further training in gardener production
- at theSchool managementAsk about support options
- oneInformationfrom the sponsor of the professional examinationJardin Suisse Swiss Gardeners' Associationto dispel your concerns
- itselfSupportfromLearning therapistorCoachthroughautogenicormental trainingGet
You are very unsure whether you will be able to graduate as a gardener in production. You could take a look at which subjects you may have struggled with in the past. If these are subjects that will be repeated in this final examination, you should find out about possible preparatory courses, fill in any gaps in your knowledge with the help of private tutors or discuss with the school whether there is the possibility of internal tests or preparatory courses.
If you have intense exam anxiety, you could look for a different type of course that works more with learning achievements, mid-term exams or semester work. External help from learning therapists, kinesiologists, autogenic training providers or mental training providers can also be considered:
No, this course to become a gardener with a federal certificate in production does not suit you. What a pity? Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Gardener with a federal certificate specializing in production is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as a gardener in production doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The production gardener apprenticeship is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the information events of the providers of gardener production with a federal certificate. There you will learn a lot more about further training and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Gardener with a federal certificate of competence"
The apprenticeship Gardener Production seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Gardener with a federal certificate of competence"
The production training course for gardeners seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Gardener with a federal certificate of competence"