Current Work Experience or Volunteering Opportunities in Horticulture

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Work Experience Placement - one year salaried

RHS / Floral Fantasia

  • Work Experience Position - Commercial (Floral Sector) and Ornamental Horticulture (1 year fixed term)

    The position provides an opportunity to spend a full-year immersed in the Floral Fantasia garden. You will gain knowledge, experience, skills and training, in a work-based context, to prepare you for professional life in the industry.

    This position is a unique opportunity within an RHS garden, not only to learn skills from the RHS team but to also work with the British commercial horticultural industry to keep Floral Fantasia blooming.

    The Floral Fantasia garden is a showcase for industry; demonstrating new breeding lines and a centre of excellence for seasonal plants. We carry out trials, People Choice awards and design and deliver seasonal displays, as part of the wider RHS Garden Hyde Hall’s visitor experience.

  • This position will give you responsibility of the day-to-day upkeep of the garden.

    It will provide opportunities to work with leading figures in commercial horticulture, learn about modern plant breeding, putting together trials and help planning seasonal designs.

    The position will include days within the industry, at trials, seminars and nursery visits. The position will also offer the option of wider learning within the garden, through engaging with masterclasses and plant idents.

    While you will be asked to complete a project of your choice through self-study during your year the position is very much about practical work experience and does not result in a formal qualification.

  • Ability to demonstrate a keen interest in the specialist area of: Commercial (Floral Sector) and Ornamental Horticulture, especially floral and herbaceous.

    Applicants are expected, as a minimum, to have completed a Level 2 horticultural theory qualification (at Certificate or Diploma level).

    Applicants are expected, to have at least three months’ worth of practical experience (paid or voluntary) in a professional horticultural environment (such as a historic or botanic garden, a public park, garden centre, commercial nursery or other relevant local business. This list is not exhaustive).

    Experience using basic horticultural machinery, equipment and/or tools.

  • Location: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex

    Salary: £22,308 per annum, Full time (37.5 hours a week) with a working pattern of 5 days out of 7 (including weekend and occasional evening work).

    How to Apply: Please apply here and mention YPHA Website.

Paid Summer Work Experiece - Gardener (Part Time and Full Time)

The Garden Co

  • Based at Chipperfield Garden Centre near Hemel Hempstead, we create and care for beautiful green spaces through our design expertise, landscaping craftmanship and professional gardening services. Our work is based on over 30 years’ experience of ‘wowing’ clients and we have won many national awards. Everybody working here shares a passion for nature and the outdoors. We understand the importance of sustainability and taking care of our environment. When you join us, you become part of a friendly and talented group of people working well together.

    • Digging, planting and weeding flower beds and borders

    • Looking after lawns

    • Tidying overgrown shrubs and trees and clearing paths

    • Controlling pests that damage plants

    • Using equipment safely, like lawn mowers and hedge trimmers

    • As a starting point, we want to see your excitement and passion for beautiful gardens, nature and being outdoors

    • You’ll be interested in learning about growing and caring for plants

    • Excellent teamworking skills and timekeeping are important too

    • A (manual) driving licence is essential and you need to be aged 18-plus.

    • We are based in a semi-rural location with limited public transport to reach our premises.  You’ll be expected to report to our base each morning and then travel from site to site with other team members in a work vehicle

  • Location: Near Hemel Hempstead

    Salary: DOE

    Working Requirements: You need to be available for at least 6 weeks during the period from August 1 – October 1 (start and finish dates can be flexible).

    How to Apply: Please send your CV to Helen Scott at helen@thegardenco.co.uk with a covering email stating your availability over the summer and whether you are interested in full or part-time work.