TWO lucky horticultural students could find themselves in Canberra next year for the Urban Greenscapes Symposium and the Nursery and Garden Industry national conference and exhibition from February 17-19. It is the first time such an offer has been made through the industry’s Certified Nursery Professional (CNP) program. Proudly supported by Australian Horticulture and Ramm Botanicals, the scholarship offers students an early understanding of the benefits of ongoing professional development. Some students may in fact already qualify as CNPs if they have been working and studying simultaneously. To be eligible for the scholarship the student entering must be in their final year of study, working towards a qualification in horticulture (Certificate III or above). The eligible qualification would specialise in retail nursery, production/wholesale nursery, arboriculture, parks and gardens, or the general horticulture qualification. The CNP Scholarship program aims to demonstrate to our future leaders the industry’s professionalism and allows students to explore all the potential career paths that are on offer. Further, it provides inspiration to students and exposes them to the benefits of participation in a program such as CNP. All education institutions are encouraged to nominate a student for consideration by Nursery and Garden Industry Australia’s panel of judges. The panel will identify a finalist for both regional and metropolitan areas in each state. From the finalists, two national scholarships will be awarded - a regional scholarship and a metropolitan scholarship. Nominations for this exciting opportunity close September 19, 2008. For more information contact the CNP Coordinator on (02) 9876 5200 or via email at cnp@ngia.com.au The CNP program is funded jointly by the Nursery Industry Levy and the Commonwealth Government via Horticulture Australia and is proudly supported by Australian Horticulture magazine and Ramm Botanicals. Australian Horticulture will be following the program closely, with profiles on finalists and the ultimate scholarship recipients in coming issues of the magazine. |