Education & the RHS

One-Year Specialist Option Certificate in Arboriculture with Estate Management

In general

This internship will be particularly valuable for a student on an ND, HND or Degree course, or who is attending an overseas institution, who requires a 12-month period of practical experience. It is also suitable for those seeking post-course experience of a structured pattern or for a person within the horticultural industry at large.

The programme provides an unrivalled opportunity to gain experience from working within the extensive and varied collections of plants and trees at Wisley Garden, and also the more general woodlands within the Wisley Estate. The Estate Department is responsible for running and managing the Estate as a whole, and has responsibilities within the Garden for the up-keep of turfed areas, hedges, roadways and irrigation system amongst other things.

• Remuneration is currently £12,040 per year, paid monthly.

• Trainees will live in the Society's self-catering accommodation, comprising shared housing of between two to five people. Each trainee has a single study bedroom and access to a shared lounge and kitchen/dining facilities (subsidised cost of which will be deducted from renumeration).

• There is an annual leave entitlement of eight public holidays plus 23 working days per year.

• On successful completion of the programme a certificate of competence will be provided.

Programme Content

• The Arboriculture Student will be based in the Wisley Estate Department and will work closely with the Arborist, but will be required to assist with other Estate-based duties as directed.

• In addition to this the successful student will assist the Woody Plant Committee Secretary at each of the Society's flower shows at Vincent Square & Chelsea.

• The Trainee will be required to work on a number of assignments while at Wisley and these may include: a detailed work log, case study, placement report or dissertation and fortnightly plant identification tests. It is anticipated that a sandwich year student will have college/university projects to complete and these will be set against RHS committments where appropriate.

Eligibility

• It is expected that most applicants will have completed the initial part, at least, of a Further Education or Higher Education course in horticulture.

• The successful candidate will have good tree climbing skills, be able to operate a tractor, and is likely to possess a First Aid Certificate and NPTC units 30, 31 and 36.

• The entry qualifications will be negotiable according to the reasons for seeking employment and experience but candidates must necessarily demonstrate an intellectual capability and sufficient academic experience to cope with the provisions of the scheme.

• A motivation and commitment to work and learn in the Wisley environment and to put to full use the opportunities, facilities and expertise available is essential.

• Applicants from overseas will be considered, and acceptance will be subject to a Work Permit being granted for non-EU nationals. A good working knowledge of the English language is essential, and evidence to that effect will be requested.

Applications

Applications must be made by 31 January in the year of anticipated entry. To download an application form and course details, click here for an Acrobat version (61KB) or here for a Word for Windows version (215KB).
Don't forget to write 'Specialist Option - Arboriculture' at the top of the form.