07 January 2025
Developing fundamental skills at the College of Amenity Horticulture
Problem-based learning really delivers in terms of how people develop lifelong transferrable skills, Darren White of the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture showcases some of the work undertaken by Level 6 Landscaping students.
Education in Teagasc is very diverse and our students are exposed to many problem based learning scenarios. These provide individuals with skills that can be brought into their workplaces on completion of a Teagasc course. As an educator who works in the Teagasc College of Horticulture and someone who has previously worked in the Landscape and Amenity sector, I see the benefit of this learning style for any industry.
Every year as part of the Level 6 Landscape Design & Construction module I deliver, the students are provided with an area approximately 15m x 15m in size within the grounds of Teagasc Research Centre Ashtown or National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin. Students must work as a group to deliver a design concept for the area and present their ideas to the teaching staff.
A group of our Level 6 students working on elements of the garden build, this design and construction element forms a major part of the Advanced Landscape design and Construction elective.
From start to finish
Within the design, fundamental skills of landscaping must be included such as paving, walling, water feature, timber work and planting. It is important that the concept works and all the features fit well together and the project can be completed in an eight week timeframe. At this stage of the project, I liaise closely with the group to look at the type and quantities of materials needed and the costings. Each year, we spend an average of €5,000 and recycle, reuse and repurpose as many materials as we can.
Once everything is finalised, such as quantities and costings, the students can get stuck into the garden build. This is done over an eight week period which counts for half of their work placement.
The building process allows students practice core landscaping skills such as paving, building block or stone work, creating timber and water features and marrying all of these together with planting. Aside from these core skills, the students learn much more like how to work in a team, analysing costings and develop leadership skills. A project like this can develop how a person problem solves like finding substitute products, making a decision based on the products that are available or within budget and finally developing communication skills which are essential working in industry.
On completion of the build, the students get a great sense of satisfaction from what they have achieved in eight weeks. This garden is embedded in the campus of either Teagasc Ashtown or the Botanic Gardens for the staff and students to use and enjoy which is a testament to the skills developed.
A happy team on the completion of the build and design of 2024 student garden in the Botanic Gardens.
A career starting point
On completion of the Advanced Landscape Design & Construction module, which is a major elective of the full level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture, many students go on to work in some amazing facilities. These range from private estates, to public parks run by Local Authorities or the OPW, to working with landscapers developing and designing small to large gardens. Some choose to further their studies with our degree programme which is offered through SETU. These skills are transferrable all over the world which is very positive as this can afford people opportunities to travel and bring back new ideas if and when they return to Ireland.
Problem-based learning really delivers in terms of how people develop lifelong transferrable skills and this is what Teagasc Education is embedded in.
Also read: The importance of Green Education: Insights from the Europea Seminar 2024
Also read: Apprenticeships proving popular at Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture