Accredited Permaculture Training Internships

The Permaforst Trust is now offering nationally accredited permaculture training at Certificate 4 and Diploma levels at our sustainability education centre and demonstration farm at Barkers Vale on the North Coast of NSW, Australia.

The Permaforest Trust offers two, 20-week semesters each year.

Semester 1 End of February to the second week of July.

Semester 2 Fourth week in July to the second week in December.

Note: There is a two week break between semesters 1 and 2.

Costs

Work Exchange Interns- Certificate 4 level only                   Austudy Approved

$120 registration fee (once only)- includes registration in the APT internship program and Supporting Membership at The Permaforest Trust.

Course Fees $3200 and 300 hours work exchange per semester (may be paid in instalments of $160 per week and 15 hours work per week).

Requires 2 semesters of training for a complete Certificate 4 Qualification.

Includes 1 day of Knowledge Based Training and 1 day of Activity Based Training each week. Students will engage in a further three half days of work exchange (15 hours) each week.

Work exchange will be done under the auspices of the Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) organization, and all APT students at Permaforest Trust must be registered members of WWOOF (cost $50 AUD). See www.wwoof.com.au for details on WWOOF membership.

Note: Students committing to staying for 2 concurrent

(see web site for more training options)

Program

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. Where possible KBT modules are delivered in the same order each semester (see Semester Time table below).

Permaculture Principles and Pathways, by David Holmgren (see www.holmgren.com.au to purchase) and Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual, by Bill Mollison (see www.tagari.com to purchase) are used as textbooks for KBT. It is recommended that students buy these texts and read them before entering the course. Copies of both texts are available in the library for use by students who do not own these texts, however availability will be restricted if other students are also using them.

Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison (see above for purchase- also available through public libraries) is required reading before entering Permaforest Trust APT ™ programs.

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 the Permaforest Trust or other suitable setting. Where possible, ABT modules are delivered in the same order each semester. However because of the natural variations in climate, weather and biology affecting permaculture system requirements ABT training modules may be undertaken out of order within a semester. ABT modules include field trips to relevant properties, businesses and communities. Where high-value learning opportunities present themselves, ABT units may be changed our substituted to take advantage of these opportunities.

Field Trips

Field Trips are undertaken once every four weeks as ABT training modules. Students should budget up to $50 per field trip for transportation and entry fees. Work exchange may also be required as part of some field trips.

Design Workshop Projects (DWP)

Two hours of training each week are dedicated to a permaculture design workshop. Project work is explained, discussed, presented and critiqued in a manner similar to other design education disciplines such as architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning. Completion and presentation of project work is mandatory for attainment of each Unit of Competency. Projects are due every two to three weeks. DWP projects also include participation in Guest Weekends (see below) and Permaforest Trust community member’s meetings.

Work Exchange and Community Tasks

Work exchange and community tasks in the Permaforest Trust permaculture system form part of the process whereby students are assessed for APT ™ competencies. These form a minor but important part of the training process. Community tasks include meal preparation, weekly duties, meetings and heart circles. Work exchange is clearly distinguished from ABT training modules. The first time an activity is done at the Permaforest Trust it may be classified as training. After students have been trained in an activity it is considered work exchange thereafter.

Permaforest Trust- Centre for Sustainability Education

The Permaforest Trust is a purpose built sustainability education center on 100 acres next to the World Heritage Listed Border Ranges National Park located in the humid sub tropics of Northern New South Wales, Australia. Here you will live what you are learning on a day to day basis. Growing, preparing and eating healthy organic food along with permaculture, rainforest regeneration, sustainable forestry and organic farming form the basis of our 'educational community for sustainability'.

We are passionate about what we do and we attract motivated, skilled and passionate people. Our value lies in providing a model of sustainable living that is demonstrated every day that you stay with us. We place a great deal of emphasis on living well together, and we have evolved effective community systems that create a harmonious and positive environment.

The Pemaforest Trust is an example of Integral Sustainability: health and evolution in body, mind and spirit; self, culture and nature. It provides and excellent example of what a small group of people can achieve using effective alternatives.