Permaculture Demonstrator Skill Set (PDSS)

The nationally accredited Permaculture Demonstrator Skill Set (AHCSS000048) comprises of four units from the Certificate III in Permaculture.

A woman is crouched in a field of potatoes. She is smiling at the camera, while other people can be seen in the background.

Course details

Course One: Fridays, 28 April to 21 July 2023, 10-3pm (no class 30 June)
Course Two: Tuesdays 5 September to 4 December 2023, 10-3pm (no class 19 September and 7 November )

If you’re interested in finding out details about this course, please contact Karen Mengell, VET Co-ordinator on 9389 0127 or via the button below.

CERES welcomes applications from people with disabilities.

CERES Community Environment Park, corner of Roberts & Stewards Streets, Brunswick East.

$1675 full price; $1360 concession price
12 Weeks

“Permaculture is a multi-disciplinary ecological design science focused on care for the earth, care for people and all species, sharing of surpluses and setting limits to industrial and exploitative growth. It is based on the premise that the planet is a finite ecological system with limited energy and material resources to be shared and managed in a manner inspired by nature.” – Skills Impact, AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package Companion Volume.

This nationally recognised Skill Set is from the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management Training Package. Completing this Skill Set at CERES Community Environment Park provides students with the vocational knowledge and skills in permaculture to provide practical instruction to small groups of learners for school, labour market or community programs.

The course covers core elements of design and maintenance of a permaculture garden as well as the skills and knowledge to communicate and demonstrate permaculture principles and practices.

Students at CERES learn on our 4.5-hectare urban farm in Brunswick East alongside our range of social enterprises including our Honey Lane organic market garden, propagation area, permaculture and bushfood nursery.

Course content

Course Design

Four units from the Certificate III Permaculture must be completed to gain this Skill Set.

CERES’ course offers a combination of hands-on and on-line learning.

Face to face delivery is 60 hours (12 sessions x 5 hours) which includes a range of activities and methodologies including:

Practical demonstration and hands on learning in the field
Class discussion and use of a range of written materials
Individual and group work

In addition to face-to-face time the course requires up to 100 additional hours of independent/on-line learning.
Below are the units from the Certificate III Permaculture which form the Skill Set:

In 2023 we have scheduled two courses of 12 sessions:

Course One, Fridays 28 April to 21 July 2023, 10-3pm (no class 30 June)
Course Two, Tuesdays 5 September to 4 December 2023, 10-3pm (no class 19 September and 7 November )

There is a maximum of 18 places per class available in this program.

Course requirements and pre-requisites

Student Resources

CERES will provide all written and on-site gardening related learning resources. Students are required to provide and wear appropriate attire for working outdoors including safety boots, work overalls and sun protection.

Assessment

Assessment will be conducted in line with the Training Package’s requirements and will be through a range of practical demonstrations and some written assignments.

All students will receive a Statement of Attainment for successful completion of units. Students who successfully complete all units will be issued with a Statement of Attainment which states “These competencies meet the industry requirements for those providing practical instruction to small groups of learners”.

Course Pre-requisites

Whilst there are no formal pre-requisites, prospective students should have:

language, literacy and numeracy skills at a sufficient level to participate
A commitment to attending all classes and undertaking all course requirements.

Trainer profiles

Since 2011 Travis Heenan has been learning, working and teaching on various permaculture inspired projects and courses. He has a degree in psychology and has worked as life coach and group work facilitator.

Travis is currently a teacher Certificate IV in Permaculture for TAFE NSW and works for the NDIS providing support services for people with disabilities. Until only recently, Travis’s energy and efforts had been committed to the establishment of PEACE Farm in Yarra Junction and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm business. This year Travis and his family left this initiative and have taken on a new permaculture inspired project “Spinebill Bend” in East Warburton, Victoria.
Over the years Travis has come to appreciate permaculture as a journey rather then the destination often imagined as the “off the grid utopia”.

Travis believes the journey of permaculture has the potential to completely transform our understanding of life and open up unlimited creative potential for how we can live harmoniously with our environment.

Employment and further study pathways

On successful completion graduates can gain employment as a Permaculture Demonstrator/Trainer/Facilitator in non-accredited or Certificate I level school, labour market or community programs.

Graduates may also elect to undertake further training such as the full Certificate III Permaculture, a Permaculture Design Course or a Certificate IV or Diploma of Permaculture.

Course fees

Course Fees – 2023 Fee breakdown:

Full:
Tuition – $1495
Materials – $100 p.a
Total – $1595

Concession:
Tuition – $1195
Materials – $100 p.a
Total – $1295

Application/Enrolment process

Applicants are asked to contact Karen Mengell, VET Co-ordinator on 9389 0127 or via email at karen.mengell@ceres.org.au.

CERES welcomes applications from people with a disability. It is important to us that our students receive training, assessment and support services that meet their individual needs where appropriate. As part of this commitment, and in line with our access and equity policy, all applicants will be interviewed by the VET Coordinator prior to enrolment to determine needs.

Registered Training Organisation

CERES is the registered training organisation offering this training – RTO no 3686. CERES School of Nature and Climate is the trading name of CERES Inc.