Apprenticeship opportunities with Royal Parks

The Royal Parks charity is looking for seven horticultural apprentices to help them care for some of the most historic and well-loved parks in the UK.

Coinciding with the start of National Apprenticeship Week (4th to 8th March 2019) aspiring gardeners can now apply to work in iconic locations such as Hyde Park and Greenwich Park.

The apprenticeship typically lasts for three years, with successful applicants being based in one of the eight Royal Parks in London for four days a week and one day study at Capel Manor College in The Regent’s Park on the remaining day.

Apprentices will study for the Horticulture Landscape Operative Standard, which includes modules such as plant identification and soil science. In the final year there is the opportunity to study for The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Level 2 Certificates in Horticulture. Access to state-of-the-art Hyde Park Nursery, which grows over 450,000 plants for all eight Royal Parks, will also form part of apprenticeship, where trainees will learn propagation as well as the chance to have a hand in growing the parks eye-catching flower bed displays.

Many previous apprentices have gone on to secure employment within the Royal Parks or other prestigious locations such as Buckingham Palace and Kew Gardens.

Dennis Clarke, Head of Park Services at The Royal Parks, points out that this is a unique opportunity to work in world-class parks: “Collectively, our parks receive 77 million visits a year – making them among the most visited attractions in the UK – and we have our gardeners and apprentices to thank for helping make people’s visits enjoyable and memorable,” he said.

Applicants need to be over 16 and there is no upper age limit. The deadline for applications is 7th April 2019 and interested candidates should apply via:
www.royalparks.org.uk/apprenticeship

Picture credits: All images ©The Royal Parks. Banner: St James’ Park, London, credit: Darren Williams. Centre: Malachi Yarker based at Hyde Park ©The Royal Parks; and Selina Tan based at Richmond Park: ©&credit MonicaRGoya.