Horticultural Worker
What is the work like?
As an horticultural worker, you would be involved in the large-scale growing of plants.
You could work in one of the following areas:
- production horticulture – producing and selling plants for either food or decorative purposes
- garden centres – producing plants for sale to the public
- amenity horticulture – looking after areas such as parks and public and botanic gardens.
Your day-to-day tasks would typically include:
- sowing seeds or planting bulbs
- growing plants from cuttings and by grafting
- taking care of plants – watering, weeding, pruning, feeding and spraying
- mowing grass, cutting dead growth and branches, and doing general tidying
- laying paths and looking after ornamental features.
Depending on the job, you could also pick, sort and package produce to be sent to retailers, and sell plants and other products and advise customers in a garden centre.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any particular qualifications to become a horticultural worker – you may be able to find work if you have experience in a similar area such as forestry or farming, or have skills and knowledge gained by gardening as a hobby. It will be useful to have customer service experience if you want to work in a garden centre.
You may find it useful to gain skills and knowledge by attending full- or part-time courses before looking for work, although this is not essential. Relevant courses include:
- City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Land-based Studies (with an option in horticulture)
- NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture
- Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture
- BTEC First Diploma in Horticulture
- NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture and in Production Horticulture – you would usually need NVQ level 1 or relevant work experience
- City & Guilds Level 2 National Certificate in Horticulture
- City & Guild Level 3 Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Horticulture
- RHS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture – you would usually need the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture or an equivalent level of qualification.
Entry requirements for courses can vary, so you should check with individual colleges. See the RHS website for details of RHS course providers .
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you start work you may receive on-the-job training from experienced workers and supervisors. You may also be able to work towards qualifications including:
- NVQ in Level 1 in Horticulture
- NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Amenity Horticulture
- NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Production Horticulture
- NVQ Level 4 in Amenity Horticulture Management.
Levels 3 and 4 are suitable if you supervise or manage other staff.
If your job involves tasks which could be dangerous, such as operating chainsaws and using pesticides, you would need certificates of competence which are awarded by the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC). See the NPTC website for details of the certificates, and of other NPTC short courses that could add to your skills and knowledge.
Where can I go for more information?
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
Stoneleigh
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 024 7685 7300
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Horticultural workers can earn between £12,000 and £20,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work a 40-hour week, although some jobs are seasonal, with longer hours during the summer. You may need to work weekends and evenings, particularly in garden centres.
Your work would be physically demanding, involving bending, kneeling, lifting and carrying.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest in plants and their care
- practical skills
- the ability to understand and follow health and safety regulations
- the ability to work either alone or in a team
- customer service and money handling skills for garden centre work.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work in gardens, nurseries and garden centres all over the country. In amenity horticulture, jobs are mainly in larger towns and cities, working for local councils, looking after public parks, gardens and playing fields. Councils increasingly employ private contractors to do this work, so you could also find employment with these.
In larger organisations you could have the chance to progress to supervisor and manager jobs once you have experience or further qualifications.
With experience you could set up your own nursery or garden maintenance business.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
www.LGjobs.com
Land Force
Growing Careers
Blooming Good Jobs
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