HortEducationBC Information

Sanctioned by the provincial government's Industry Training Authority (ITA), HortEducationBC (HEBC) is the new industry training organization (ITO) that will serve the ornamental horticulture industry in BC. This new model for industry training seeks to put into effect the best practices gleaned from other jurisdictions which have proven that putting industry in a leadership role results in expansion in trainee numbers and an increase in the general skill level within the workforce. HEBC aims to provide service to the horticulture industry by coordinating the skill needs of employers, workers and trainees in horticulture with training and education programs and services delivered by training providers. By working closely with industry HEBC seeks to improve apprenticeship programs at both the high school and post secondary school level and extend learning through on-the-job training resulting in increased knowledge and skills for the current and future workforce. Having the capacity to incorporate practical skills "certification" programs into most institutional, apprenticeship and on-the-job training will allow training providers to provide more authentic skills evaluation. In other words, HEBC has the mandate to cover the full spectrum of industry training required to run successful ornamental horticulture businesses - a phenomenal achievement made possible because industry is playing the lead role.