CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Students may pursue careers either as self-employed professionals or within organisations that provide or offer Practical Training (see the Practical Training section) in the fields covered by our study programmes.
The profession of HORTICULTURE TECHNICIAN is in demand among employers engaged in:
· landscape design, planning of gardens and planting schemes, and the implementation of landscape design projects,
· managing and carrying out the production of vegetables, ornamental herbaceous plants, and woody plants,
· designing and arranging interior and exterior spaces using plants,
· managing recreational and sports areas,
· leading a variety of horticultural projects.
The profession of VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND MARKETING TECHNICIAN is in demand among employers engaged in:
· interior and exterior design,
· the use of various techniques, materials, and recycling in design,
· commercial photography,
· corporate visual identity design,
· sales promotion of a wide range of products,
· project management,
· organising and managing work processes.
PHOTOGRAPHY graduates mostly enter the labour market as self-employed professionals, as their work is largely project-based and commissioned by clients. They typically work as freelancers.
There is certainly no shortage of work for them. As a College, we continue to support our graduates by forwarding job enquiries and professional opportunities that we receive.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants may enrol in the Higher Vocational Study Programmes in Horticulture, Visual Communication Design and Marketing, and Photography, either on a full-time or part-time basis, if they have:
- completed the General Matura or the Vocational Matura, or an equivalent qualification obtained under previous education regulations; or
- passed the master craftsman, foreman, or managerial examination, have three years of relevant work experience, and have successfully completed examinations in general education subjects at the level required for the Vocational Matura in upper secondary technical education.
DOCUMENTS
EVENTS
ABOUT US
Higher Vocational College, School of Horticulture and Visual Arts Celje
Ljubljanska cesta 97
3000 Celje
Email: referat@hvu.si
Website: https://www.hvu/visja/
Facebook: Povezava
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shvu_vss/
At the School of Horticulture and Visual Arts Celje, we offer three Higher Vocational Study Programmes: HORTICULTURE, VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND MARKETING, and PHOTOGRAPHY. Find out more at www.hvu.si, under Higher Vocational College, and on our Facebook and Instagram social media channels.
All three programmes are available on both a full-time and part-time basis.
The emphasis in all three study programmes is on innovation, advanced knowledge, enthusiasm, and practical skills.
The HORTICULTURE programme covers the fields of landscape horticulture, the design of residential and commercial outdoor and indoor spaces, and horticultural plant technology. We develop current trends in horticulture, adapt to climate change, promote sustainable cultivation and design, and respond to the needs of society.
The VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND MARKETING programme offers content in the fields of interior and exterior design, drawing, painting, recycling in design, commercial photography, as well as marketing, business economics, and sales promotion. We respond to contemporary trends in visual communication and sustainable green development.
The PHOTOGRAPHY programme introduces students to photographic and video materials, working methods, processes, and technologies in the fields of photography, animation, and video, preparing them for all stages of the production process. It provides knowledge and skills across a wide range of applications in photography, animation, and video, encourages creativity and communication, and develops the ability to work independently as well as in teams. In each academic year, students complete ten weeks of Practical Training in companies or institutions, including abroad through international mobility projects. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates are awarded the professional title Photography Technician.
The programme is delivered in a pleasant environment, with a large park surrounding the College building. Ample free parking is available. The Higher Vocational College offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, created by both lecturers and students. Every student has the opportunity to participate in curricular and extracurricular activities, such as study visits abroad and competitions. Our students have also achieved excellent results at the international EuroSkills competition and other professional competitions.

GALLERY
WORK-BASED LEARNING
In both programmes, students complete a total of 800 hours of Practical Training (PT) with employers, comprising 400 hours in the first year and 400 hours in the second year. Students may choose the employer where they wish to undertake their Practical Training, or they may receive assistance from the College mentor. Each student is also assigned a workplace mentor who provides guidance, support, and supervises the quality of their work.
HORTICULTURE Programme
In the first year, students complete 400 hours of Practical Training from mid-April until the end of June. In the second year, they complete 160 hours in October and 240 hours during the second half of March and April. According to employers, this arrangement enables students to experience work throughout the entire growing season.
Practical Training may be undertaken in landscape gardening companies, horticultural businesses, plant nurseries, florists, garden centres, municipal service companies, vegetable-producing farms, botanical gardens, parks, and similar organisations.
The aim of Practical Training is for students to become familiar with the activities of a horticultural enterprise, understand work organisation, and gain experience in production planning and organisation.
VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND MARKETING Programme
In both years of study, Practical Training takes place from mid-April until the end of June.
Practical Training may be undertaken in graphic design companies, advertising agencies, multimedia companies, printing houses, retail stores and shopping centres, inter-company training centres, and similar organisations.
The objective of Practical Training in the first year is for students to acquire knowledge in the fields of communication, business economics, business operations, and visual arts. In the second year, the emphasis is placed on projects in retail environments, decoration, and marketing communications.
Students complete their Practical Training in organisations that best match their interests and career aspirations.
PHOTOGRAPHY Programme
Photography students most commonly complete their Practical Training with:
- photographers,
- photographic designers,
- photojournalists,
- camera operators, and
- video editors.
Visual Communication Design and Marketing students most commonly complete their Practical Training with:
- independent designers working with natural and artificial stone,
- specialists in the conservation and restoration of stone products, and
- members of multidisciplinary design teams.
Graduates of both programmes most frequently work as self-employed professionals, as the work of photographers and designers is largely project-based and commissioned by clients.
STUDY PROGRAMMES
HORTICULTURE
Knowledge and competences acquired during the programme:
- communication and business skills (Business Communication and Leadership, Horticultural Business Management, etc.);
- general horticultural knowledge based on sustainable development principles (Sustainable Development, Horticultural Technology, Landscape, Spatial and Environmental Protection, etc.);
- specialised horticultural knowledge (Horticultural Plant Technology, Materials and Park Equipment, Planting and Maintenance of Green Areas, Management of Recreational and Sports Areas, etc.).
VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN AND MARKETING
Knowledge and competences acquired during the programme:
- communication skills (Visual Communication and Multimedia, Business Communication and Leadership, etc.);
- marketing knowledge (Principles of Marketing, Retail Space Management, Commercial Operations, etc.);
- artistic and design knowledge (Styles Through the Ages, Theory of Visual Culture, Commercial Photography, Techniques and Materials, Recycling in Design, Interior and Exterior Decoration Design, etc.).
PHOTOGRAPHY
Knowledge and competences acquired during the programme:
The programme introduces students to photographic and video materials, working methods, processes, and technologies in the fields of photography, animation, and video production, preparing them for all stages of the production process. Students acquire knowledge and practical skills across a broad range of photographic, animation, and video applications, while developing creativity, communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
In each academic year, students complete ten weeks of Practical Training in companies or institutions, either in Slovenia or abroad through international mobility projects.
Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates are awarded the professional title Photography Technician.
