Horticultural Apprentice scheme 19 2027-9

Kew; London Borough of Richmond upon Thames; Remote; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning & development

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

Gym membership discount

Pension

Museum & galleries access (national)

Job summary

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew invites applicants to join a two-year apprenticeship designed as a foundation entry path toward a professional career in botanical horticulture. Apprentices are employed with a salary and training fees included, gaining work experience across Temperate Collections and Glasshouse Collections.

You will have on-the-job training, two-week staff exchange to a European botanic garden, day release to attend a local horticultural college, and support to develop practical

Qualifications

• 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 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.
• Must have right of abode and have been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship and have the right to work in the UK.
• Not be participating in any other funded education or training, including school or college courses.
• If you have not had a job before please tell us about relevant experience from school or college.

Responsibilities

• Gain work experience in Temperate Collections and Glasshouse Collections.
• On-the-job training delivered by garden managers and trainers with practical tasks cultivating plants.
• Two-week staff exchange partly funded to a European botanic garden or plant collection and a travel scholarship opportunity for two weeks.
• Day release to attend a local horticultural college to study and prepare for the Trailblazer apprenticeship standard.

Job description

The two-year Kew apprenticeship is a foundation entry position designed for people desiring a professional career at senior craft level in botanical horticulture. Apprentices are employed on a salary and training fees are included.

A Kew apprentice will gain work experience in each of the two horticultural sections: Temperate Collections, and Glasshouse Collections. As part of this work experience, on‑job training will be arranged and delivered by garden managers and trainers, with a focus on practical skills using real tasks cultivating plants in our collections and landscapes. Personal development is encouraged with a two‑week staff exchange partly funded to a European botanic garden or plant collection and a travel scholarship opportunity for two‑weeks.

Each apprentice will be granted day release to attend a local horticultural college, where they will study and prepare for the horticulture operative Trailblazer apprenticeship standard.

• 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 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
• Must have right of abode and have been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship and have the right to work in the UK.
• Not be participating in any other funded education or training, including school or college courses

If you have not had a job before please tell us about relevant experience from school or college.

Interviews are due to take place on 8 & 15 December.

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£26,554 per annum [Student Pay Grade]

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.

At Kew, our strength lies in the diversity of our people and the insights they bring. When you join us, you will find an organisation that values your perspective and lived experience. You will receive support to achieve your full potential and access opportunities to develop and progress. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is ongoing, shaped by the people who work here and the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we are breaking down barriers to be an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Whoever you are, and however you experience the world, there is a place for you to grow and belong at Kew.

No agencies please.