Qualifications We Offer

Certificate 4

Provides a basis in training for people supervising permaculture works, working as project officers on permaculture projects and those seeking to become permaculture designers and/or advisors.

This Qualification is at the same level as traditional Permaculture Design Course (PDC) training and can be seen as an extension of that training. Certificate 4 is oriented towards creating skilled designers whom have some project management skills.

Prerequisites: None.

Requires completion of 12 Units of Competency.

Diploma

Provides a basis in training for people working as project managers on permaculture community development projects, and those seeking to become professional permaculture systems designers and consultants. Diploma study is oriented towards providing the foundations for creating skilled, professional project managers and permaculture designers with a focus on post carbon transiton.

Prerequisites: 5 core Units of Competency from Certificate 4.

Requires Completion of 10 Units of Competency from Diploma  (2 Units from Certificate 4 may be used towards Diploma).

Certificate 4 APT Units of Competency Covered in Permaforest Trust Program

(* denotes core Units of Competency)

· * PIL 401a Provide advice on permaculture principles and practices
· * PIL 403a Design an urban permaculture system
· * PIL 404a Plan and supervise the implementation of permaculture works
· * PIL 405a Select appropriate technologies for a permaculture system
· * PIL 406a Identify and analyse bioregional characteristics and resources

· PIL 402a Design a rural permaculture system
· PIL 407a Design harvesting and storage systems for permaculture products
· PIL 408a Develop animal care and maintenance systems for permaculture
· PIL 409a Manage a permaculture seed bank
· PIL 410a Recommend approaches for bioregional and community development
· RTD 4804a Develop community networks
· RTD 4805a Facilitate ongoing group development

Diploma APT Units of Competency in the Permaforest Trust Program

· PIL 501a Carry out permaculture field research
· PIL 502a Design an integrated permaculture system
· PIL 504a Manage a permaculture project
· PIL 505a Plan the implementation of a permaculture project
· PIL 507a Research and interpret requirements for a permaculture project
· PIL 506a Design and plan a sustainable settlement
· PIL 510a Prepare a community and bioregional development strategy
· PIL 511a Facilitate participatory planning and learning activities

Note: 2 Units of Competency from Certificate 4 may be used towards the ten Units of Competency required for a Diploma Qualification.

Our Program

Permaforest Trust offers 2 semesters each year.

Semester 1: Beginning of March to the end of June.

Semester 2: End of July to the end of November.

Note: There is a four week break between semesters one and two.

Knowledge Based Training (KBT)

KBT delivers the theoretical components necessary to demonstrate competencies in APT ™. Each week students receive one day of Knowledge Based Training (KBT) in the classroom or other suitable setting.

Permaculture Principles and Pathways, by David Holmgren (see www.holmgren.com.au to purchase)and Introduction to Permaculture, by Bill Mollison and Reny Mia Slay (see www.tagari.com to purchase). These are manditory texts for undertaking the course. It is recommended that students read these texts before entering the program.

Activity Based Training (ABT)

ABT delivers practical and theoretical components necessary to demonstrate competencies in APT ™. Each week students receive one day of Activity Based Training (ABT) at a relevant setting. ABT modules include field trips to relevant properties, businesses and communities; hands on permaculture activities and projects; and participation in community initiatives.

Reading Week

There is a reading week in the middle of each semester with no formal classes. Individual project work will be assigned for the reading week.

Attendence and Project Deadlines

During the Byron Bay training semester, students may miss up to one week of training for personal reasons or to engage in other training opportunities and still be assessed within the Permaforest Trust APT™ course framework for all competencies needed for their Qualification. Students missing more than one week per semester are not eligible for custom assessment of competencies gained during absences. Students may gain the missed competencies during repetition of the missed weeks (where the training program has remained the same) in subsequent semesters. Or, students may undergo the RPL process to gain recognition for attainment of competencies missed during absences.

During semesters of supported project based training students must attend conference calls, regularly participate in online forums and submit work before project deadlines in order to prove their status as full time students. Benefits such as Austudy are dependent on students continuing in full time study for the duration of the course.