Apprenticeships at the 5 RHS Gardens

Are you interested in learning about plants, gardening or horticulture, but new to the industry? Our Apprenticeships are aimed at people beginning their career in horticulture or arboriculture

Full-time entry-level apprenticeships are available at the 5 RHS Gardens.

• Level 2 Apprenticeships are suitable for anyone looking to enter the industry as you don’t need any formal qualifications to apply, just a love of the outdoors, plants and nature
• Level 3 Apprenticeships are suitable for anyone with a minimum of 6 months professional experience in the industry who wish to build on their skills and knowledge to supervise others in the workplace

If you already have existing experience and qualifications, please check out our other Work-Based Training programmes as these may be more suitable to help you progress your career in the industry.

Earn while you learn

Apprentices are paid at or above the National Minimum Wage, which is reviewed annually by government. Apprentices are employed and work full-time alongside the RHS Garden teams at their garden, supported by a garden manager and the School of Horticulture.

Complete a Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs) or a Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels) apprenticeship qualification at college

Achieve the practical skills you need to start your career through learning in our RHS Gardens, alongside academic studies at college (which may involve travel and staying away from home). Apprentices receive academic tuition and learning support from the tutor team whilst studying at college.

• See our frequently asked questions

Apprentices are employed on a two or three-year fixed-term contract (depending on the apprenticeship). You must have the right to work in England for the duration of the placement to apply for any apprenticeship.*

• This is a full-time work-based training programme (37.5 hours per week on rota). The rota is a 5 in 7 so the full-time hours will include some weekend working
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer our apprenticeships on a part-time basis

*Additionally, to qualify for apprenticeship funding, UK nationals and those with the right to abode must have been resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship.

Learning takes place in the garden as well as at college, where you study for Ofqual accredited LANTRA Apprenticeship Qualifications.

• Depending on which apprenticeship you undertake your college course will be delivered as either day release or as residential lecture blocks and may involve travel and staying away from home
• Applicants should take note if their apprenticeship takes place by block release that this method of study requires you to stay away from home
• Accommodation, food and transport costs for study blocks at college are funded by the RHS

As a horticultural apprentice, you will work on rotation through all the garden departments, allowing you to experience the wide range of garden types and seasonal activities. (Arborist apprentices remain on placement with their specialist team throughout the apprenticeship).

• Each apprentice is supported by a Garden Manager and key contacts within the Curatorial and School of Horticulture Teams
• You work alongside experienced RHS staff in the garden, learning about the day-to-day cultivation and/or maintenance of the garden, tree collections or machinery (as applicable) across the year

• Apprentices must find their own way to work, however, each garden will have flexibility in enabling access around public transport
• Accommodation is not available for apprentices at any of the RHS gardens