RHS Apprenticeships

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

Our apprenticeships are suitable for anyone looking to enter the industry, you don’t need any formal qualifications to apply just a love of the outdoors, plants and nature. If you already have existing experience, qualifications or are a career changer, an alternative Work-Based Training programme may be more suitable to kick start 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. You will work alongside the garden teams receiving workplace support from a garden manager and the School of Horticulture. 

Complete a Level 2 (equivalent to a GCSE) or a Level 3 (equivalent to an A Level) apprenticeship qualification at college

Achieve the practical skills you need to start your career through learning in our gardens, alongside studying at college (which may involve travel and staying away from home). Whilst studying at college you will receive learning support from the tutor team.

Apprentices are employed on a two or three-year fixed-term contract (depending on 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)
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer our apprenticeships on a part-time basis

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 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

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 teams 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