The National Botanic Garden of Wales are currently recruiting for a horticulture apprentice. The Garden’s horticulture apprenticeship scheme comprises of a two-year training programme. It is run in close liaison with Coleg Sir Gâr. Starting in September.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is a centre for horticultural excellence. The horticulture industry is experiencing is a shortage of skills. The National Botanic Garden of Wales employed its first apprentice in September last year. The apprenticeship scheme will help to bridge the skills gap in the horticulture industry.
Why choose a career in horticulture?
Horticulture is a serious career for talented people. Hoticulturalists are highly skilled having undergone years of professional training. It can encompass a variety of aspects including science, art, technology, leisure, business, cultivation and producing fruit and vegetables.
Horticulture is practised at all levels. From our own back gardens, to the activities of multi-national corporations. It can be a diverse and rewarding career. Jobs in horticulture including crop science, sports turf maintenance, garden design, preserving historic and famous gardens, plant conservation, writing and broadcasting.
Horticulture is not merely gardening. It is a strategically important industry that can help against the growing threat to our homes from flooding. Horticulture can help improve the nation’s health and well-being. It protects our green spaces and countryside, and it can help with food security.
Why an Apprenticeship?
Over recent years Wales’ apprenticeship success rate has grown to an impressive 84%. Success is due to many factors. One of the most important is the continuation of support by Welsh Governments to Apprenticeships. The Welsh government has pledged £144 million in EU and Welsh Government investment. This is to fund over 50,000 apprenticeships in Wales .
Individuals with an Apprenticeship as their highest level of qualification earn more on
average than those with NQF Levels 1-3 qualifications. The earnings for those under 24 with an apprenticeship are higher in Wales than those with higher level qualifications.
Earn Whilst You Learn
The costs of education at colleges and universities are continually increasing. The beauty of an apprenticeship is that you can earn a wage whilst you learn. You get quality training for the vocation of your choice.
An apprenticeship will give you a qualification. It will also give 2 years of valuable experience working in the industry. This will put you a step ahead of those choosing a purely academic route.
The Garden’s Apprenticeship
Carly Green the Gardens’ first apprentice started last September. She says; “The apprenticeship was the perfect chance for me to break into horticulture for the first time”. “I’m really lucky to be able to work with the staff at NBGW and benefit from their knowledge and contacts at other organisations.”
Benefactor, Patrick Daniell, has been working closely with the Garden to establish the scheme. Patrick hopes the scheme will be passed on to others, the interest and benefits he has experienced from horticulture. As well as the values he places on good training and confidence building.
For more information download the details on the work for us page on our website.