Gardener

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by a professional body

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a course in gardening or horticulture to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need.

Courses include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Horticulture Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Practical Horticultural Skills
• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a:

• Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Landscape or Horticulture Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Horticulture and Landscaping Technical Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You might find it helpful when looking for work if you have some practical experience, for instance from working in a garden centre.

You could also start as an assistant gardener with an organisation and work your way up.

Volunteering

Many organisations offer volunteering opportunities, for example:

• The Conservation Volunteers
• National Trust
• The Wildlife Trusts

You'll also find volunteering placements through Do IT and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) .

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs. Employers value work experience and skills in gardening. Horticultural knowledge and enthusiasm are also important.

OtherRoutes

You can take a course with The Royal Horticultural Society to learn more about gardening or complete a qualification that may help you to get a job.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• customer service skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• physical skills like lifting, bending and reaching
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• excellent verbal communication skills
• concentration skills
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• thinking and reasoning skills
• physical fitness and endurance
• knowledge of maths
• sensitivity and understanding
• leadership skills
• active listening skills
• observation and recording skills

What you'll do:

Gardeners grow and look after plants in parks, gardens and other green spaces.

As a gardener, you will:

• raise and look after plants from seeds or cuttings
• dig, plant and weed flower beds and borders
• tidy overgrown shrubs and trees and clear paths
• control pests that damage plants
• use equipment safely, like lawn mowers and hedge trimmers
• build items such as sheds, patios or fences

Location : You could work in a garden, in a park, at a client's business, at a client's home or in woodland.
Environment : Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £19,500
Experienced : £26,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 42 hours variable

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• become a head gardener, garden designer or horticultural manager
• set up your own business, gardening for private customers
• move into a related role, such as landscaper , groundsperson or arboricultural officer
• do a qualification to work as a tree surgeon