Greenhouse Technician | St. Clair College
Program Code: T865
Status: Open
Apply Online:
Two Year - Ontario College Diploma
Starts: September

Year One & Two - Windsor Campus

Placement will be one day per week in 2nd year and will take place in Essex County

Contact:
Brandi Bechard
519-972-2727 ext. 4870

Program Overview

The program is designed for students interested in a career in the greenhouse sector. This is a two-year program where the student learns through a combination of in-class lectures, laboratory work and greenhouse visits. The program is designed with two areas of specialization that students can select in their second year of study. As part of the program, the students will be responsible to complete a capstone course where they will draw from knowledge and experience gained in all courses and their placement.

This program will provide students with the knowledge necessary to work in the greenhouse sector as Greenhouse Technicians. These operations could include vertical or container farms where vegetables, flowers, fruits, microgreens and other crops are grown and harvested. Graduates are expected to find work in greenhouse production, assistant and head growers, pest management specialists, supervisors, or managers as well as opportunities in the logistics team. The graduates may be employed in Ontario’s greenhouse sector or the support services such as suppliers (fertilizers etc.), manufacturers, logistics and government positions (production technicians).

Laddering Opportunities

Although a formal pathway has not been developed yet, students coming from a degree in Biology/Life Sciences or Landscape Horticulture diploma or related field may transfer into this program.

After completing this credential, students could transfer into the Landscape Horticulture diploma program at the College or continue their studies at the university level in fields related to Biology/Life Sciences, Entomology, and Pathology.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status.

The majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level qualify for this program.

International Students: See Admission Policies for details.

Courses

The curriculum below is for incoming students:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
GHT100
Science for the Greenhouse
3
GHT102
Greenhouse Production I
3
GHT104
Greenhouse Production II
3
GHT106
Chemistry
3
GHT108
Pathology
3
GHT110
Entomology
3
MTH160
Mathematics for Greenhouse Technicians
2
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
GHT200
Introduction To Integrated Pest Management
3
GHT202
Pesticide Control
3
GHT204
Biosecurity and Sanitation
4
GHT206
Agriculture Business Management
3
GHT208
Greenhouse Production III
3
GHT210
Computer Skills
2
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
GHT300
Greenhouse Climate
3
GHT302
Greenhouse Nutrition & Fertilization
3
GHT304
Greenhouse Production IV
3
GHT306
Greenhouse Diseases
3
GHT308
Greenhouse Production V
3
GHT310
Greenhouse Pests
3
GHT312
Advanced Integrated Pest Management
3
GHT350
Greenhouse Field Placement I
5

There are two streams in the third semester. The Production Stream takes Greenhouse Production IV and Greenhouse Production V. The IPM Stream takes Greenhouse Diseases and Greenhouse Pests.

Semester 4
Code Title Credits
GHT400
Greenhouse Engineering
4
GHT402
Capstone Project
3
GHT404
Post-Production
3
HRM105
Human Resources Management
3
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
GHT450
Greenhouse Field Placement II
5

Past Cohorts:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
GHT100 Science for the Greenhouse 3
GHT102 Greenhouse Production I 3
GHT104 Greenhouse Production II 3
GHT106 Chemistry 3
GHT108 Pathology 3
GHT110 Entomology 3
MTH160 Mathematics for Greenhouse Technicians 2
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
GHT200 Introduction To Integrated Pest Management 3
GHT202 Pesticide Control 3
GHT204 Biosecurity and Sanitation 4
GHT206 Agriculture Business Management 3
GHT208 Greenhouse Production III 3
GHT210 Computer Skills 2
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
GHT300 Greenhouse Climate 3
GHT302 Greenhouse Nutrition & Fertilization 3
GHT304 Greenhouse Production IV 3
GHT306 Greenhouse Diseases 3
GHT308 Greenhouse Production V 3
GHT310 Greenhouse Pests 3
GHT312 Advanced Integrated Pest Management 3
GHT350 Greenhouse Field Placement I 5

There are two streams in the third semester. The Production Stream takes Greenhouse Production IV and Greenhouse Production V. The IPM Stream takes Greenhouse Diseases and Greenhouse Pests.

Semester 4
Code Title Credits
GHT400 Greenhouse Engineering 4
GHT402 Capstone Project 3
GHT404 Post-Production 3
HRM105 Human Resources Management 3
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2024-2025 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found on the Bookstore website.

Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

Program Physical Demands Analysis

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Greenhouse Technician (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 53902)

The successful completion of this program will enable the graduate to:

  1. Create an optimal cultural environment by applying plant science to ensure efficient plant growth.
  2. Perform basic maintenance tasks related to greenhouse systems, by examining the design, structures and components of a greenhouse, in order to ensure proper operation and optimize the environment for maximized productivity.
  3. Prevent, diagnose, control and treat pest problems utilizing the principles of Integrated Pest Management.
  4. Apply the principles and regulations embedded in the environment pesticide license to all operations of the greenhouse to maintain a sustainable green and contaminant-free environment.
  5. Control the greenhouse environment using analogue and computerized controls to optimize conditions required for plant growth and performance.
  6. Prepare crop schedules for the timely production of edible crops.
  7. Grow various crops using greenhouse media and hydroponic systems to maximize crop production.
  8. Use advertising, marketing and sales strategies to promote business growth and success.
  9. Assist in the management of human and physical resources to optimize production costs, improve labour efficiency and reflect social responsibility.
  10. Communicate effectively using different modes (written, verbal, electronic) in the running of greenhouse business operations to ensure effective functioning of the team and to meet business goals.
  11. Collect and analyze the metrics that are necessary to adjust the factors for a successful greenhouse operation.