Nurturing and growing a career through horticultural apprenticeships

Spring is officially here. The clocks have sprung forward, evenings are getting lighter, days are turning warmer, and nature is gradually coming back to life after the long winter months. 

And springtime's return is especially welcomed by gardeners, horticulturists and landscapers who can now get on with preparing soil for growing, planting seedlings and pruning trees and shrubs. 

Environmental horticulture is the perfect career for people who love working outdoors, being physically active and connecting with the natural environment. It's also a sector for substantial growth in terms of employment, according to recent survey findings. 

Research by Oxford Economics' and EHG found that the sector, which includes UK gardens, landscaping, and arboriculture, contributed £38 billion to Britain's GDP and supported 722,000 jobs during 2023-2024. 

And the studies also revealed that our environmental horticulture industry could potentially be worth £51.2 billion to the economy, creating 763,000 jobs by 2030.   

For people looking to get into horticulture via an apprenticeship, there are several options. 

These include the Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 programme, offered by training providers across the country, as well as apprenticeships run by the RHS at its own gardens. 

Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative (level 2) 

This apprenticeship is for people looking to work in outdoor spaces such as public parks and gardens, schools, tourist attractions, business and retail parks, historic gardens, private gardens and estates. 

It provides training for jobs in gardening, landscaping, horticulture and ground maintenance.  

Usually lasting two years, this course attracts government funding of up to £6,000. Forty-two training providers currently deliver the course, including well-known land-based colleges Reaseheath in Cheshire, Bishop Burton in East Yorkshire and Askham Bryan in North Yorkshire.  

Apprentices on this course will be taught a wide range of skills. These include how to:  

• Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used, such as weeding 

•  Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut. 

• Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit. 

• Install turf  

• Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower. 

• Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning. 

• Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and to resolve problems 

• Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and/or by hand  

• Maintain plant health by meeting basic needs such as water, nutrition and light 

• Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders 

• Apply measures that protect against environmental harm, such as by correctly storing and disposing of waste and sorting materials for recycling or composting 

• Communicate with technical people such as supervisors or managers and non-technical people such as clients and the public, using language appropriate to the audience  

• Select, undertake a pre-start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery in line with current legislation and business policies 

Among the employers involved in creating this standard were the Association of Professional Landscapers, English Heritage, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), John O'Conner Grounds Maintenance, the National Trust, Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the RHS and the Wildlife Gardening Forum. 

Further details about this apprenticeship, the subjects and skills it covers and the training providers delivering it can be found here. 

RHS Apprenticeships  

Famous for its beautiful gardens and world-renowned events such as The Chelsea Flower Show, the RHS is Britain's leading garden charity.  

The society has also been awarding qualifications in horticulture since 1893 and today runs three of its own apprenticeship schemes, namely the Level 2 Horticultural Operative Apprenticeship, Level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship and the Level 3 Horticultural Supervisor Apprenticeship.  

Aimed at young people beginning their career in horticulture or arboriculture, the programmes provide apprentice training at an RHS garden. Positions are available at all five - Wisley in Surrey, Hyde Hall in Essex, Harlow Carr in Yorkshire, Rosemoor in Devon and Bridgewater near Greater Manchester.  

Each apprentice is supported by a garden manager and key members of the RHS's Curatorial and School of Horticulture teams. 

Applications for RHS apprenticeships are now closed until spring next year, but those thinking of applying can boost their chances through gaining some work experience. The RHS offers its own volunteer opportunities via its New Shoots Scheme - helping to lay the ground for a potential career in horticulture.