Gardener apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a college coursean apprenticeshipworking towards this roleapplying directlyspecialist courses run by a professional body
College
You could do a college course in gardening or horticulture to get some of the knowledge and practical skills needed for this career. Courses include:
- Level 1 Certificate in Horticulture Skills
- Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture and Amenity Horticulture
- Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
Courses would cover things like identification of plants, growing plants from seed and how to use gardening machinery safely. You'll usually need: - 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a Level 1 course
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a Level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a LLevel 3 course
Apprenticeship
You could get into this job through a horticulture and landscape operative Level 2 apprenticeship.
The Royal Horticulture Society also offers horticultural Apprenticeships in some of its national gardens for 16 to 19 year olds.
You could move onto a landscape or horticulture supervisor Level 3 apprenticeship as you get more experience.
You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for a Level 3 apprenticeship. You'll need some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for a Level 2 apprenticeship.
Work
You could start as an assistant gardener and work your way up.
If you have some related work experience, for example in a garden centre or with a conservation body, this could help you to get a job.
Volunteering
You can get experience by volunteering with:
The Conservation Volunteers, National Trust or The Wildlife Trusts.
Direct Application
To work as a gardener you would need to be able to show employers that you have the gardening skills, knowledge and enthusiasm they are looking for. Experience in gardening or a horticultural role is highly valued by employers.
Other Routes
The Royal Horticultural Society offers courses which are suitable if you want to learn more about gardening, or if you want to get qualifications that will help you get a job in horticulture.
Gardener apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work well with your hands
- customer service skills
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- excellent verbal communication skills
- physical fitness and endurance
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to have a Certificate of Competence, if you carry out hazardous tasks using a chainsaw
Gardener apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
On a typical day you may:
- raise plants from seeds or cuttings
- dig, plant and weed flower beds and borders
- prune shrubs and trees
- check the health of plants and control pests
- use machinery like lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
- look after the appearance of plants and the surrounding landscape
- clean and maintain equipment
- do basic building tasks like laying patios, or putting up sheds and fences
Working environment
You could work in a garden, in a park, at a client's business, at a client's home or in woodland.
Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression - Gardener apprenticeships
With experience, you could become a senior or head gardener.
You could move into other work like landscaping, greenkeeping or the care of trees and shrubs (arboriculture).
You could also set up your own business, offering a service to private customers.