Horticultural worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• training with a professional body

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for jobs.

Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture
• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture

Entry requirements:

• 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 level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an apprenticeship, such as:

• Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Landscape or Horticulture Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

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

Volunteering

You might find it useful to get some practical experience by volunteering in horticulture or gardening , while looking for jobs.

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you have experience in gardening, horticulture or retail. Employers might ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in maths, English and science.

You could then do a part-time horticultural course or get training on the job to develop your skills.

OtherRoutes

You can take a course with The Royal Horticultural Society to learn more about horticulture or to help you get a job.

You could learn at a training centre or online depending on the course you choose.

Required Skills:

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

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to work on your own
• physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of food production methods
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• leadership skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• active listening skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• business management skills
• knowledge of biology
• customer service skills

What you'll do:

Horticultural workers grow plants in garden nurseries, work in food production, and maintain parks and gardens.

Your duties will depend on whether you work in a garden centre, a park or in crop production. You could:

• plant seeds and bulbs to grow plants and shrubs
• water, weed, prune, feed and spray plants
• advise customers about plants and how to look after them
• maintain plant and soil health, and control pests
• pick, sort and pack items to be delivered
• serve customers

Location : You could work in a garden, in a park, on a country estate, at a garden centre or on a farm.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

Salary:

Starter : £19,500
Experienced : £24,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• become a supervisor or horticultural manager
• set up your own plant nursery or garden maintenance business
• specialise in crop production methods like vertical farming