Hospitality to horticulture. It doesn’t exactly scream natural progression, but for one TAFE Gippsland graduate, the decision to follow her green thumb was absolutely the perfect pathway to help achieve her gastro-garden goals.
Ten years after completing a Certificate III in Hospitality at TAFE Gippsland, Jessi Young decided to pursue her ultimate passion. Horticulture. So, when she discovered the Certificate III in Horticulture was being offered as a Free TAFE course, she jumped at the chance to enrol. Little did she know at the time that her study journey would be so different to what she imagined.
“I first enrolled in the Certificate III in Horticulture course before I found out I was having a baby,” Jessi stated.
“I was also managing a small business at the time and wasn’t sure if I was able to fit in study as well. But I met with my amazing course teachers, Katrina Langmaid and Anita Meister, who built up my confidence to study while pregnant. While I was on maternity leave, they made sure I was equipped with all handouts, web resources and continually checked in with my progress while studying from home.”
The 28-year-old mum from Traralgon was no stranger to the Morwell campus where her horticulture course was delivered, having also studied hospitality there a decade ago.
It was her extensive background in the hospitality industry which Jessi believes inspired her to learn more about the produce she was working with, where it came from and how it was grown.
“I’ve been fortunate to work directly with suppliers and farmers, so I’ve wanted to jump the fence and become a produce gardener myself since,” she explained.
“I’ve always enjoyed the side hustle of growing produce at home and wanted to shift work from the kitchen to the outdoors. After researching the course curriculum, I was super excited to learn new skills that would potentially help me gain employment in the industry and broaden my knowledge for home growing purposes. Horticulture seemed to be the perfect fit for me to upskill.”
The practical experience Jessi was offered in TAFE Gippsland’s hands-on learning environment cemented her desire to pursue a place in this growth industry.
After graduating with a Certificate III in Horticulture Jessi put her her newly acquired skill combination to use immediately at West Gippsland B&B, Vue in Jindivick, where they grow their own produce and provide freshly cut flowers for their guests.
“Both my husband and I wish to one day design and build our own luxury B&B here in Gippsland, driven by hospitality influence and farm-grown produce, so this placement aligned perfectly with that,” Jessi explained.
“I’m very excited to be able to engage my skills now at Greenhills Farm in Yarragon, where I’ll be running their kitchen garden that supplies local restaurants and cafes. This position will allow me to use the skills I acquired through TAFE and give me the building blocks I need to achieve my own goals.”
In the meantime, Jessi is enjoying her most important role – being a mum – while cultivating her own sustainable produce to pickle, cure and preserve. She also aspires to help others transform their backyard spaces into thriving kitchen gardens.
“I’m so proud I was able to achieve all of this while also becoming a first-time mum,” Jessi said.
“It seemed impossible at first, but I found that having passionate teachers, together with my own passion for the industry, was the key to a great course and learning environment. I also think it’s a great way to connect with other students who are likeminded. It’s the perfect way to develop skills within the industry.”
How you can become a horticulturalist
Have you ever considered turning your love of gardening into a career in horticulture?
You can grow your horticulture skills at TAFE Gippsland with an extensive range of certifications. These include our:
- Certificate II in Horticulture
This course is offered to eligible students under the Free TAFE scheme. You may choose to pursue further study in a Certificate III or IV in Horticulture with this qualification. - Certificate III in Horticulture
Also offered to eligible students under the Free TAFE scheme, this course will provide you with the knowledge to pursue career opportunities or further study in horticulture, with pathways including the Certificate IV in Horticulture or Agriculture and a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management. It is recommended that you complete a Certificate II in Horticulture or have equivalent experience or training in the horticulture sector. - Certificate IV in Horticulture
To apply for this course, it is recommended you have a Certificate III in Horticulture or a related discipline, otherwise at least three years’ experience in the horticulture industry. This course offers further learning pathways into diploma level studies.
We also offer agricultural studies, offering students with various pathways and options on offer for students to further their studies in the food, fibre, and conservation industry. If you’re interested in reading more on our available pathways or simply getting in contact, please find all information here.