Horticulture is not an area you might associate immediately with PLC colleges in Dublin. However, for the past five years, Ringsend Technical Institute has offered an intensive one-year course in amenity horticulture and grounds maintenance.

Subjects studies include plant science, soil science, communications and horticultural science and engineering. This latter includes the Health and Safety Acts and the safety and wiring of tools. Students also learn about the business side of horticulture; they study communications, computer studies and business administration.

Course co-ordinator Gwen Dolan explains that "an integral part of the course is work experience. One advantage of NCVA accreditation is that work experience is taken very seriously . . . this gives students a link with the world of employment before they graduate."

Graduates may continue their studies by doing the Teagasc diploma in amenity horticulture or they may go to British colleges, with Writtle and Ottley being particularly popular. Alternatively, they may find work directly, usually with garden centres or landscapers.