Horticulture Apprentice (Wakehurst)
Horticulture Apprentice (Wakehurst)
This apprenticeship aims to teach the highest standards of professional horticultural skills by offering structured training in amenity and botanical horticulture and underpinning knowledge from college study.
It provides participants the opportunity to gain practical experience and an understanding of the botanic gardens collections, ornamental horticulture, exotic woodlands, nature conservation and plant propagation at Wakehurst’s Horticulture and Landscape department in the High Weald of Sussex.
Course objectives
The Wakehurst apprenticeship is an entry level position designed for individuals desiring a professional career in botanical or amenity horticulture.
Applicants should be prepared for early starts and working outdoors through the seasons. Apprentices are employed on a salary and college fees and staff exchanges are supported financially.
A Wakehurst apprentice will gain work experience in Aboriculture, Conservation, Gardens and Nursery teams.
More details
Apprentices require a good standard of education: 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths at grade C/4 or above and significant horticultural work experience or volunteering in a professional horticultural environment (normally equivalent to a minimum of 3 months). Trailblazer apprenticeships are backed by the UK government and are subject to UK government funding rules.
Applicants:
- must not be enrolled on another apprenticeship
- must be 16 or over after the last Friday in June of the start year
- must be able to complete the apprenticeship in the 2 years
- must have been normally resident in the EEA for the past 3 years
- must not have a full level 2 or higher qualification in Horticulture
- must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom and undertake the apprenticeship training.
Kew welcomes international applicants, as we firmly believe in this ethos. However Kew is unable to sponsor applicants to work in the United Kingdom for the Kew Apprenticeship. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the appointment; see UK Visa and Immigration for the latest regulations.
All successful applicants called to interview will be required to provide documentary evidence of their right to work in the United Kingdom and residency in the EEA for the last three years at interview.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.
We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.
Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.
The salary for this position is £24,535 per annum (pro rata) [Student/Apprentice Pay Scale]
Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.
If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply for this job”.
We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
No agencies please.