Take your first steps on the horticultural career ladder with a RHS apprenticeship

For budding gardeners keen to turn their passion for plants into a blossoming career, the Royal Horticultural Society’s student and apprenticeship programmes are currently accepting applications until 1 February and 11 March respectively. 

Both students and apprentices earn while they learn, working full-time alongside highly knowledgeable and experienced teams in the four world-class RHS gardens – Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in Yorkshire.

For the first-time, arborist and mechanical apprentices are also being recruited at the RHS’s newest garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford that will open in 2020. 

The two-year horticulture apprenticeship programme, starting in August, is not just for school leavers and also proves attractive to career changers hoping to swap their desk for muddy boots.

Apprentices get to try their hand at a vast range of tasks throughout the seasons, from planting borders and lawn care through to harvesting fruit and vegetables, propagation and operating machinery, while studying at college for the Apprenticeship qualification.

RHS students gain more in-depth knowledge and a behind the scenes insight into top-tier horticulture, designing and tending their own allotment at the Gardens, working at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and learning all-important management skills.

Students study for an RHS Diploma in Horticultural Practice with a one-year course running at Rosemoor and Hyde Hall (Level 3) and a two-year course at Wisley (Levels 3 and 4) from September. Prospective students need at least six months horticultural experience and a Level 2 qualification to apply. 

Suzanne Moss, RHS Head of Education and Learning said:

“With spring around the corner, what better time to consider taking your first steps on the horticultural career ladder. Our student and apprenticeship programmes give you all the skills you need to start forging a fantastic and rewarding career and go straight into work afterwards, often in an RHS garden.”

About The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): The world’s leading gardening charity, founded in 1804 by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgwood. Our vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. This aspiration underpins all that we do, from inspirational gardens and shows, through our scientific research, to our education and community programmes such as Campaign for School Gardening and Britain in Bloom. We produce key publications, hold a world-class collection of horticultural books and botanical art, and sell the very best plants and gardening gifts.

We are currently investing over £160 million into the future of horticulture, which includes redeveloping our flagship RHS Garden Wisley and opening a new garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater, in 2020. We are solely funded by our members, visitors and supporters.