Get the skills and qualifications you need for a career in horticulture with our apprenticeship programmes
A choice of apprenticeships
Apprenticeships available at all RHS Gardens:
- Horticultural Operative Apprentices (Level 2) spend two years working alongside experienced horticulturists in our prestigious RHS Gardens. This experience gives a real understanding of the seasonal work involved in an ornamental garden. There is nothing like getting your hands dirty to grow your knowledge and confidence
Download the Level 2 factsheet (919kB pdf)
Apprenticeships available at selected RHS Gardens
- Arborist Apprentices (Level 2) spend two years working alongside experienced arboriculturists in our prestigious RHS Gardens. This experience gives a real understanding of the seasonal work involved in maintaining trees within a public garden. Arboricultural teams develop and enhance trees and the wider landscapes of RHS Gardens to delight visitors and benefit wildlife
- Horticulture / Landscape Supervisor Apprenticeship (Level 3) spend three years working alongside experienced horticulturists. This experience gives learners a real understanding of the seasonal work involved in an ornamental garden and an understanding of how to supervise garden teams carrying out their work for the benefit of everyone
- Land-Based Service Engineering Technician (Level 3) spend three years working alongside experienced mechanics. During this time, you will learn how to maintain, repair and inspect the diverse range of machinery and equipment used by horticultural teams for their safety and the longevity of the equipment
Applications are closed
Applications for RHS Apprenticeships across all five RHS Gardens are now closed. Our 2025 recruitment will open in December 2024.
Where you can study
Apprenticeships available at all RHS Gardens
Horticultural Operative Apprenticeship (Level 2)
- RHS apprentices study the horticulture option for this standard, which focuses on plant propagation and plant growth
- Study is completed by block release at college and could involve travel and staying away from home
- See an overview of this role
Available to study at:
Apprenticeships available at selected gardens
Please note, the following apprenticeships could be available at the RHS Gardens indicated but recruitment may not take place every year
Arborist Apprenticeship (Level 2)
- Planting, felling and maintaining trees
- Study is completed by block or day release at college depending on RHS Garden location and could involve travel and staying away from home
- See an overview of this role
Available to study at:
Horticulture / Landscape Supervisor Apprenticeship (Level 3)
- RHS apprentices study the horticulture option for this standard, which focuses on plant propagation, growing media, pruning techniques and irrigation
- Study is completed by block release at college and will involve travel and staying away from home
- See an overview of this role
Available to study at:
Land-Based Service Engineering Technician (Level 3)
Available to study at:
Working in the garden
Apprentices are paid RHS employees on a two or three-year fixed-term contract (depending on apprenticeship).
You will undertake regular rotations through various garden departments assisting RHS staff with a range of tasks in the day-to-day cultivation and maintenance of the garden. Arborist and Engineering apprentices will stay with those specialist teams throughout their apprenticeship.
This is a full-time work-based training programme (37.5 hours per week) with a working pattern of five days out of seven (including weekend and occasional evening work). This position requires you to attend college on a day release or a residential lecture block basis and could involve travel and staying away from home.
Each apprentice is assigned a Garden Manager and key contacts within each of the garden’s Curatorial / Education departments.
As an RHS apprentice you will
- Train to become a horticulturist or arborist of the future (depending on programme) by taking part in a thorough and effective apprenticeship programme
- Progress and develop in an inspiring learning environment
- Grow your practical understanding, knowledge and skills at a prestigious RHS Garden
- Increase your skills, confidence and knowledge to help you to find employment within the horticultural industry after your training has finished
Applications and entry requirements
- Applicants should demonstrate a passion for either plants, gardening or the area they have chosen to apply for
- The apprenticeships are aimed primarily at 16–19 year-olds, although are suitable for anyone looking to enter the horticultural industry
- It is desirable for you to have GCSE grades A* to C or 9 - 4 in English and Maths. If you do not have English and/or Maths GCSE qualifications (or equivalents), you will be required to complete Functional Skills as part of your apprenticeship
- Applicants must have the ability to grasp information and apply recently gained knowledge, have a strong interest in plants, horticulture or the relevant subject for their apprenticeship and must have a reasonable standard of IT literacy (use email, Microsoft Word to create documents and the internet to research information)
- Applicants should take note if their apprenticeship takes place by block release. This method of study requires you to stay away from your home for a minimum of three and up to six working weeks per year. Accommodation, food and transport costs for study blocks at college are funded by the RHS.
- Full training for the apprenticeship is provided at the relevant RHS Garden and through the college training provider for the duration of the two or three years (as listed above). Please note, time to complete coursework is required in addition to your working hours
- You must have the right to work in England to apply for an apprenticeship. UK nationals and those with the right to abode must have been resident in the UK for at least the previous three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship to gain funding. For further information regarding funding for non-UK residents, please contact us by email on [email protected].
- Horticultural Operative Apprenticeship (Level 2): No previous horticultural experience or qualifications are required. Please note, if you already hold all or part of a Level 2 horticultural qualification (at Certificate or Diploma level) or have more than 12 months practical experience in the industry you are not eligible for the Level 2 apprenticeship due to government funding rules
- Arborist Apprenticeship (Level 2): No previous arboricultural experience or qualifications are required. Please note, if you already hold all or part of a Level 2 arboricultural qualification (at Certificate or Diploma level) you are not eligible for the Level 2 apprenticeship due to government funding rules
- Horticulture / Landscape Supervisor Apprenticeship Level 3: A minimum of 6 months’ practical, horticultural experience in a professional environment is required. Please note, if you already hold all or part of a Level 3 horticultural qualification you are not eligible for the Level 3 apprenticeship due to government funding rules
- Land-Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3: No previous mechanical experience in a professional environment or qualifications are required. Please note, if you already hold all or part of a Level 3 mechanical engineering qualification you are not eligible for the Level 3 apprenticeship due to government funding rules
Applications are closed
Applications for RHS Apprenticeships across all five RHS Gardens are now closed. Our 2025 recruitment will open in December 2024.
Transport and accommodation
- Apprentices must find their own way to work, however, each garden will have flexibility in enabling access around public transport
- Accommodation is not provided for apprentices at any of the RHS Gardens
After your apprenticeship
Apprentices successfully gaining the RHS Apprenticeship certificate have the opportunity to:
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