With 70 per cent of the region set aside to support agriculture and horticulture*, the sector continues to offer strong career opportunities for those with the right skills.
For Naomi Hickey, studying a Certificate III in Horticulture at Chisholm’s Rosebud campus opened the door to a meaningful career path close to home. The 2025 Chisholm Education Awards finalist is already putting her knowledge into practice: supporting her grandparents in the garden, helping friends, and volunteering at a local aged-care centre.
Guided by expert teachers and hands-on training, Naomi built practical skills that reflect local industry needs, leading to employment at one of Australia’s top wholesale nurseries. “My course was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Naomi said. “It’s helped me become more confident, and now I love giving tips to fellow gardeners and helping others in my community.”
Bec Bennett, horticulture teacher at Chisholm, agrees that plant knowledge can enrich lives and strengthen connections. “Horticulture plays a significant social role, as we engage with plants in so many aspects of life. Chisholm’s Certificate III in Horticulture gives students a taste of different sectors across the industry.”
Bec sees Naomi as a strong example of what can be achieved through commitment and self-belief. “Naomi will credit many people for her success, but at the heart of it, it was all her: she challenged herself, put in the work, believed in herself, and put herself out there to excel.”
As demand for horticulture skills grows across the Peninsula, students like Naomi are showing the real-world impact of local training and how it can grow both careers and communities.
Ready to explore a career in horticulture? Discover Chisholm’s horticulture and landscape construction courses at chisholm.edu.au/career-fields/horticulture-and-conservation
*Source: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Business-support/Agriculture
