Garden Apprentice - Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust

Countryside Classroom; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 8,900 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Training provided

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Brighton & Hove Museums offers an exciting Level 2 Heritage Horticulture and Landscape apprenticeship in historic gardens. You will gain hands-on experience across the Royal Pavilion Garden, Preston Manor’s Edwardian walled garden, and collaborative projects with Plumpton College.

Under a dedicated mentor, you will learn lawn care, planting, pruning, pest awareness, machinery operation, and public engagement through tours and presentations.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship Level 2 in Heritage Horticulture and Landscape.
• Mentor support provided throughout the apprenticeship.
• Course modules and units linked to taught elements and assessments.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop the Royal Pavilion Garden including mowing, strimming, hedge trimming, planting and pruning.
• Learn plant identification and contribute to planting schemes and garden projects.
• Learn about pests and diseases and how to treat them; operate relevant machinery safely.

Skills

Plant ID

Machinery operation

Health & safety

Public engagement

Education

Level 2 Heritage Horticulture & Landscape apprenticeship

Tools

Mowing equipment

Strimmer/hedge trimmer

Seeding tools

Job description

Would you like a chance to take up this excellent opportunity to gain a qualification packed with knowledge and practical experience, working under experienced gardeners in a world-famous historic garden?

Brighton & Hove Museums was successful in bidding for a substantial Heritage Lottery Fund grant / funding totalling over £7 million. Great improvements are ahead for the Royal Pavilion Garden and once finished this will be the only fully restored Regency landscape in the world. The successful apprenticeship applicant will be present during an exciting time of change and the experience gained through this period will greatly enhance career potential.

Brighton & Hove Museums has an exciting opportunity for a Level 2 Heritage Horticulture and Landscape apprentice within a historic gardens setting. In addition to helping shape the Pavilion Garden, the role will also include working in Preston Manors’ Edwardian walled garden and Hove Museum. Both gardens represent further opportunity to broaden knowledge, experience and career progression.

The Horticulture and Landscape apprentice Level 2 standard is run by Plumpton College who is responsible for supporting you with your learning and carrying out assessments. The course has core modules to complete and a number of units. Your work experience will be linked to the modules and units in your course. You will receive additional support from a nominated mentor throughout the duration of the Apprenticeship.

About the role

Apprentices will gain knowledge in the general management of the Royal Pavilion Garden and carrying out routine horticultural operations, e.g. mowing, strimming, hedge trimming, planting, and pruning, site preparation, turfing, seeding, weeding.

Additionally, you will learn plant identification skills and have the chance to contribute to planting schemes and many projects across different subject areas. You will learn about the most common horticultural pests and diseases, and how to treat them as well as operating machinery and health and safety aspects of the role.

Although the role is primarily to maintain and develop the gardens, there are aspects of public engagement. There will be the opportunity to carry out presentations and tours along with more general duties, which will further increase employability.

The duration of the apprenticeship will be between 18 – 24 months, depending on progression through the taught elements of the role. Please note, your application will be shared with the training provider.