APT Flexible Learning: Certificate IV in Permaculture

Certificate IV in Permaculture is now available via flexible learning. 

Certificate IV is the Permaculture advanced trade certificate focussing on skills development for urban and rural design, project coordination and community development.

Flexible Learning combines short course training, mentored distance and self-directed learning and project work to complete the Certificate IV in Permaculture.

Foundation training:  the PDC (standard Permaculture Design Course), Advanced Design Skills (ADS)+ Flexible Learning Orientation Workshop (FLOW) provides the foundation training for the Cert IV core units. These courses fast-track almost a half semester of full-time Certificate IV class training.

Advanced Design Skills (ADS) + Flexible Learning Orientation Workshop (FLOW) is a 4-day intensive course providing skills training in design drawing, drafting, basic surveying, client brief & communications, contacts, costing and bills of quantity, and tips for establishing a design consultancy. This course provides a bridge between the PDC and the APT Cert IV and Diploma core units, and includes the essential orientation to APT Flexible Learning Options. This covers assessment requirements, course templates and documentation, using the website, Occupational Health and Safety and an introductory session to Botany and plant identification.

The ADS-FLOW is offered twice a year in late January and late July following the PDC

Those who have already completed a PDC and been active in Permaculture prior to registration can gain RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) credits for relevant aspects of the Cert IV knowledge and skills requirements. You will need to provide reliable evidence of your prior learning and experience for assessment.

The Cert IV in Permaculture course includes and builds on the broad knowledge-base of the PDC to address more in-depth knowledge and professional skill-sets through competency-based learning for working in the fields of Permaculture design, project coordination and community development work.

To participate in the Cert IV Flexible Learning Option (FLO) you will need to first complete the foundation courses. If you have previously completed a PDC you can simply enrol in the ADS+FLOW to get started. You might also consider doing a refresher PDC at a reduced cost.

Short Courses other APT Cert III and IV short courses can be attended for specific elective units or to address key knowledge/skills gaps. Our course program includes blocks of intensive 2-5 day modules you can enrol in.  These are followed by self-directed and home-based project work and experience to complete unit assessment requirements. Some classes will be offered via skype link-up in 2010.

Course Requirements

You will require the following resources to participate in the FLO program:

·      A computer with broadband/ADSL internet access for course work, on-line resources and skype sessions.  The main software required for course documents include Officeworks (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), a pdf reader, photo software (iPhoto or equivalent) and web browser (recommend Firefox as it offers more security and interacts better with our website, you can download Firefox for free)

·      Digital Camera – you will need to document your work photographically as evidence for assessment

·      A site to engage in practical Permaculture projects (your own or someone else’s)

·      Permaculture-related community group/s to work with (e.g. community garden, city farm, transition town/climate action group, community seed bank, local organic or environment group, school garden/learnscape program)

·      You will also need to find clients and sites for design projects – further details provided with course notes and orientation.

·      Other resources & texts – refer to standard full-time Cert IV information

We encourage APT-FLO participants to connect with each other via the forum and skype as a virtual learning community, and those living in the same bioregion are encourage to form a study team.

Flexible Learning Course Fees

Enrolment: first semester $625

     Covers RTO enrolment, PIL, Admin & records, student set up, access to web resources, templates, student handbook, assessment docs (SKOPE’s), pre assessment interview & training plan, and 4x 1 hr Skype interview/tutorials in first semester (2 group and 2 individual)

Additional semesters: per semester fee $495

     Covers admin, RTO fees and includes 4x 1hr tutorials/interviews (2 group and 2 individual)

Short Courses: Variable

• PDC, Design Skills/FLOW (essential foundation training)
• Bushfoods & Restoration Ecology
• Manage a Seed Bank
• Appropriate Technology
• Community Facilitation/Cultural Diversity
• and may include Cert 3 modules such as Growing Abundance (Plants in Pc)
• Ref to website Short Course list
• NB some classes can be linked via skype
  

Course Notes/ resources: variable

     Notes, handbooks and resources for units where short course is not attended, can vary from $15 to $70 per module (these resources are included in short course tuition fees)

Tutorials/interview: $55/hr

     This fee applies only when you request tutorial/interview sessions additional to the 4 included in the semester fee

Assessment Fee: $30 per unit

You need to complete 12 units for Cert IV

Specific info re Certificate IV qualification requirements, units of competency go HERE