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Guide To Horticulture Apprenticeships

Introduction To Horticulture Apprenticeships
What do you know about horticulture? Well, if you have ever thought about doing gardening apprenticeships because you like to potter about in your garden at home, or if you have thought about whether you could do groundsman apprenticeships because you quite like the idea of looking after the turf at your favourite football club; look no further than apprenticeships in Horticulture.

It’s possible to study Horticulture as a full time student at university or specialised colleges but full time study is not for everyone. Perhaps you have decided you are one of those people who just don’t want to go on to university and you want to start earning straight away with quality on the job training.

Well, apprenticeships are perfect for people like you. You will earn while you learn and the qualifications you will gain at the end will be nationally recognised. This means that when you apply for future horticulture jobs, or if you want to continue to gain more advanced qualifications in the future, the evidence you produce to prove you have got what it takes will be immediately recognisable to employers and tutors.

Apply for the latest apprenticeships immediately below - or scroll down further for more information about opportunities in horticulture.
Animal & Plant Health Agency More info

Animal & Plant Health Agency

Nationwide

Plant Health & Seed Inspector Apprenticeship

This Apprenticeship will put you at the heart of one of Government's most important challenges; safeguarding animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. You'll earn while you gain vital career-building skills - and work to protect life across the nation.

How Horticulture Apprenticeships Vary
The world of horticulture is vast and varied and, as a result, Horticulture Apprenticeships vary. This means you can choose pathways that take you in the direction of your area of interest.

So, as well as getting a broad overview of other types of horticulture jobs whilst you are doing your apprenticeship, it might actually feel like you are doing groundsman apprenticeships, apprenticeships in gardening or landscaping. Think growing, planting, caring, nurturing and all the jobs and duties involved around that.

Almost a million people are employed in the horticulture sector in the UK doing all sorts of different horticulture jobs. What types of horticulture jobs can you see yourself doing in the future? You could work in:
  • Private, domestic gardens
  • Country gardens and parks
  • Nurseries
  • Sportsgrounds
  • Fruit and vegetable production
Your apprenticeship experience will vary depending on the pathway you choose. So, which pathway do you think you would take?

  • Landscape Gardening - planning, designing and maintaining gardens (public and private) and green spaces in urban and rural settings.
  • Greenkeeper or groundsman - looking after sports pitches such as cricket pitches, football pitches and golf courses.
  • Production Horticulture / Principles of Horticulture - Learning about the large scale production of plants - both for edible and for ornamental purposes. If you have always been curious about the names of different plants and how best to identify them and grown them, then this could be the pathway for you.
What Is Involved In Horticulture Apprenticeships?
Your Horticulture Apprenticeships experience will vary depending on the route you take but for each level - Intermediate and Advanced - you will go through the same stages and gain a nationally recognised qualification at the end.
Intermediate Level Horticulture Apprenticeships - What Qualifications Will I Get?
Wherever you are employed during your horticulture apprenticeship and whatever area of horticulture jobs you are focussing on, on successful completion of the units, you will still be awarded and Intermediate Level Horticulture Apprenticeship. Most Intermediate Horticultural Apprenticeships take around 20 months to complete but you might be able to complete them over a longer time period if you have other commitments.

All Intermediate Level apprenticeships in horticulture will see you achieve:
  • Functional Skills Level 1 Mathematics and Functional Skills Level 1 English (sometimes, ICT, too).
  • Personal Learning & Thinking Skills
  • Employment Rights & Responsibilities
  • Level 2 certificate in Horticulture. The title of your certificate or diploma can vary, depending on your chosen pathway but, as with all Apprenticeships, it will be a nationally recognised qualification at Level 2.
The Royal Horticultural Society runs its own Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeships. RHS Apprenticeships award RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture after Year 1. After Year 2, at the same level, RHS Apprenticeships will see you gain RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture. Once you have achieved both certificates, you will also be awarded RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

NB: If you have already achieved grades A-E at GCSE in Maths, English or ICT, you will be exempt from completing the Functional Skills part of your apprenticeship.
Advanced Level Horticulture Apprenticeships
Before doing Advanced Level Apprenticeships in Horticulture, you must first have successfully completed the intermediate level. On successful completion of Horticulture Apprenticeships at Advanced Level, you will be awarded:
  • Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics and Functional Skills Level 2 English (and sometimes ICT).
  • Personal Learning & Thinking Skills
  • Employment Rights & Responsibilities
  • Level 3 certificate or diploma in Horticulture. Again, the exact title of your qualification may vary depending on your chosen pathway but it will be a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3.
NB: If you have already achieved Grades A-C at GCSE in Maths, English or ICT, then you will be exempt from that particular Level 2 Functional Skills qualification.
Taking Horticulture To The Next Level
Once you have achieved Advanced Level Horticulture Apprenticeships, if you want to advance your knowledge and your career, it is possible to do this with further qualifications. You can use Horticulture Apprenticeships as a stepping stone to go on to HND level, foundation degree or honours degree. This is the time where you can really specialise and build your knowledge in your chosen area.
Apply For Horticulture Apprenticeships In The UK
So, are your green fingers itching to get stuck in there? Is your brain ready to learn about all the fundamentals necessary to transform you into that top landscape gardener, greenkeeper or producer of plants that you want to be? Well, let’s get going, then. Apply for Horticulture Apprenticeships today and kickstart your career now!

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