Been to a theme park lately? If you have, you've probably noticed
how beautiful the general environment was. This was the work of
a landscape and horticulture technician. To fully scape and construct
attractively designed residential areas, public parks, hotels and
resorts, golf courses, and parkways involves many specialized skills
and techniques. With tremendous advancements in computer-driven
technologies, the approach to designing and planning of land developments
has changed dramatically.
What do manicured lawns, extravagantly landscaped yards, theme
park gardens and year round sunshine all have in common? They are
some of the factors that make up one of the fastest growing
occupations in the area. And a landscape technician is
responsible for designing some, or all of these incredible creations.
Their techniques and attention to detail can literally and figuratively
bring the landscape to life.
Valencia's A.S. degree in Landscape and Horticulture Technology
takes a well-rounded approach offering specializations in both landscape
and horticulture. With Central Florida as one of the major
and most diversified horticulture centers in the world,
a wide variety of career choices are offered at hotels and resorts,
theme parks and attractions, parks and recreational areas, golf
courses, and numerous residential communities.
Job Outlook:
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers are among the Top 50
Occupations Gaining the Most New Jobs in our Region through
2013.
Job opportunities for grounds maintenance occupations should
be plentiful in the future due to increasing demand by landscaping
services companies.
About 41% of all agricultural service workers are employed
in California, Florida and Texas.
About 42% of grounds maintenance workers are employed in companies
providing landscape and horticultural services. One out of every
four are self-employed, providing landscape maintenance directly
to customers on a contract basis.
Florida is the nation's second-leading horticulture state in
greenhouse and nursery sales.