RHS New Shoots FAQs

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about RHS New Shoots

FAQs for Taster Days

What will I do on a taster day?
Activities vary throughout the seasons, but generally start with a tour of the garden followed by a hands-on activity. Example activities could include sowing seeds, taking cuttings, potting on, planting established plants in the ground, removing existing plants and preparing the ground for new planting schemes, or collecting and saving plants for future research in our Herbarium (an archive of plants).
How can I register?
Please take a look at the dates and locations available, and register on our new RHS New Shoots Eventbrite page for the taster day you would like to attend. 
How long does a taster day last?
Taster days usually start at 9.45am and end at 2pm. The specific timings will be included as part of each event description.
If I’m under 18, do I need my parent’s/guardian’s permission?
Yes. We will contact you after your booking and provide you with a permission form, which can be returned to us by e-mail or brought with you on the day. Unfortunately, we cannot accept attendees under the age of 16.
What do I need to bring on the day?
You will need to wear practical clothing, and closed-toe footwear suitable for the time of the year. Make sure you wear warm clothing in the cooler months, and be prepared for rain all year round, as you may be spending some time outdoors. For certain activities you will need safety boots and gloves, which will be provided for you to use on the day. 
 
How do I get to your garden?

Our gardens are easily accessed by car.  

Both RHS Garden Wisley and RHS Garden Bridgewater operate shuttle buses at certain times of the year. Please advise us when registering if travel is a concern, as we may be able to offer additional support in certain circumstances. 

When do taster days take place?
Taster sessions take place throughout the year and specific dates will be advertised via the RHS New Shoots Eventbrite page.
Who should attend a taster day?
If you are thinking about what career to choose when you finish formal education or considering a career change and have a passion for plants and/or the outdoors, then a taster session is a great opportunity for you to get an insight into horticultural careers. If you are interested in first volunteering in horticulture as a step towards employment, a taster session is also a good opportunity to discover what roles could be available. Most taster sessions are designed for a range of ages from 16 plus.
Is there a cost attached to attending?
The only cost to attending a taster session is your travel to and from the RHS Garden you choose to attend a taster session at. If you believe this would be a barrier to you being able to attend, please contact [email protected] to discuss what options may be available.  
How will I benefit from attending a taster event?
A taster session will give you the opportunity to gain an insight into different horticultural careers, the range of employers and practically what working in horticulture can involve. It will also give you information on routes into horticulture via education/qualifications and volunteering. It will also be an opportunity to meet like-minded people who have a passion for plants and/or the outdoors.
What should I do if I’ve booked a place and no longer able to attend?
Please cancel your ticket via eventbrite. If you have technical issues meaning you are not able to cancel your ticket, please contact [email protected] to let us know.
Can I bring a guest?
Guests will need to purchase a ticket to the Garden if they do not wish to take part in the taster session. If they want to find out more about horticultural careers as well, please either book them a deparate taster session ticket or ask them to register themselves. If you require a carer to support you during the taster session, they do not need to book a ticket, however please e-mail their name and advise they will be acting as your carer at [email protected].
Who should I contact to find out more?
[email protected] 

FAQs about Work Experience

How can I apply?
Applications are submitted online. Head to www.rhs.org.uk/newshoots and click the link to register interest for work experience. The online form will take you through all the steps you need to complete. Make sure you include your school’s details, and why you are passionate about carrying out your work experience at the RHS and within your preferred team. 
How do I get to your gardens?
Our gardens are easily accessed by car.
Both RHS Garden Wisley and RHS Garden Bridgewater operate shuttle buses at certain times of the year. Please advise us on your application if travel is a concern, as we may be able to offer additional support in certain circumstances. 
For how long can I come and do work experience?
Work experience can last from a few days to two weeks on a Monday to Friday basis, although most placements are a week long.
What does my school or college need to provide?
We will need contact details of a responsible person (e.g. a teacher or careers mentor) who can be our link at your school. Your school will also need to supply us with any forms that they require to approve your placement with us. We will only be able to progress your application if your school details are provided. 
What do I need to bring or wear on the day?

You will need to wear plain, practical clothing, and closed-toe footwear suitable for the time of the year. If you spend time in our Gardening, Retail or Visitor Services teams, you should make sure you wear warm clothing in the cooler months, and be prepared for rain all year round, as you may be spending a large amount of time outdoors. For certain roles you will need safety boots and gloves, which will be provided for you to use for the duration of your placement.

Will I get paid during Work experience?
Work experience is unpaid.
Can I choose which team i work with?
You can express a specific interest in one of our teams during your application, however we cannot guarantee that your chosen team will be able to host, and you may be offered a placement in an alternative team.
Could my placement be with different teams during the week?
At RHS Garden Wisley you will spend your work experience placement with one specific team. At RHS Garden Bridgewater you will rotate through a few different teams during your placement, depedning on the option you choose at the point of your application.
What will I be doing on a daily basis?
Activities will vary depending on the team you are with. You could be helping to water our plant collections, harvest vegetables from our edible garden for our restaurant, welcome visitors to our gardens or help merchandise houseplants in our gift centre. If you are with Science at  RHS Garden Wisley you could be collecting samples for our herbarium or maintaining our entomology (insect) collections.
Will I get a lunch break?
You will get an hour lunch break each day during your placement.  
What could I do once my work experience has ended?
You could apply for an apprentice scheme if you are aged 16 and above. You could study a level 2 principles of Horticulture qualification at college of part-time, or you could explore young persons Horticultural volunteering opportunities.
What other opportunities do you provide to gain experience?
We are piloting young persons volunteering opportunities at our gardens. To find out what opportunities are available and how and when to apply, visit our New Shoots volunteering page.

FAQs for T-Levels

For which T-Level do you offer industry placements?
Currently, only the T-Level Agriculture, Land Management and Production lists the horticultural sector as a suitable industry for placements. 
How do I get to your sites?
Our sites are easily accessed by car. At both RHS Garden Wisley and RHS Garden Bridgewater, shuttle buses operate at certain times of the year. If you think travel may be a barrier to you being able to carry out your placement at either of our gardens, please let us know, as we may be able to offer support in certain circumstances. 
Will I need a uniform?
You will need to wear plain, practical clothing, and closed-toe footwear, suitable for the time of the year, so make sure you wear warm clothing in the cooler months, and be prepared for rain all year round, as you may be spending a large amount of time outdoors. For certain tasks you will need safety boots and gloves, which will be provided for you to use for the duration of your placement. 
What kind of work would a typical T-Level placement cover?

T-Level students will work with one of the Curatorial teams (i.e. the gardening teams) at either RHS Wisley or RHS Bridgewater, so depending on which team you are working with, you could be planting for seasonal interest, maintaining important plant collections, working with tropical plants in a greenhouse, or looking after the many tree specimen on site, among many other options.  

We will work together with you and your course provider to ensure your placement covers a good variety of skills and insights into the horticultural industries. 

FAQs for Internship

What is the difference between an internship and work experience placement?
An internship lasts longer than a work experience placement. You can choose to gain 30 days experience either one day per week, or in a six-week block Monday–Friday. 
What are the benefits of doing an RHS Internship?

You will gain the experience of seasonal Horticultural tasks alongside our expert teams as well as receive mentorship from the New Shoots team on your next steps into a Horticultural career. You will receive uniform and be paid the appropriate statutory minimum hourly wage to support you attending the internship.  

How long does the internship last?
30 days as either one day per week, or a block of six weeks split into one week during Summer half-term, four weeks during summer holidays and one week during October half term.
When can the internship start?

From late March.

What will I do during the internship?
You will carry out seasonal Horticultural practical tasks alongside our teams, receive regular mentorship from our New Shoots team and prepare a presentation on Horticultural careers using insight gained from our experts and collections.
Do I get paid?
You will receive appropriate statutory minimum hourly wage for a total of 5.5 hours per day (the day includes an hour unpaid lunch break).
Are there any entry requirements?
The only entrance requirement is a clear and demonstrable passion for plants, the environment and outdoors, and for pursuing a career in horticulture. You will not be eligible if you already have achieved a Level 2 or above Horticultural qualification, although you will be eligible if you are currently working towards a Level 2.
How do I apply?
Online at www.rhs.org.uk/newshoots  
What will the RHS look for in my application?

A clear passion and motivation for plants, the environment and outdoors and pursuing a career in horticulture. We also expect you to consider why this is important to you to support a Horticultural career and express why an RHS internship specifically is the right pathway for you. 

Will I be interviewed?
Yes, successful applicants will be interviewed. If you are successful in the interview you will be offered a placement.
If successful, how will my placement be confirmed?
By e-mail.
What happens if I want to shorten or extend the internship?
We expect all applicants to commit to completing the duration of the internship. However, we understand that life is not always straightforward and therefore expect you to discuss shortening your internship with your supervisor at the earliest opportunity, explaining clearly why. Unfortunately, we are unable to extend internships, but we can discuss next steps in your career.
What could I do once the internship has ended?
You could apply to become an apprentice, volunteer or pursue a Horticultural qualification full, or part, time.
What other opportunities do you provide to gain experience?
We offer a limited number of voluntary (unpaid) work experience placements of up to a week. We also have volunteering opportunities and current volunteering vacancies can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer.

Contact us

For more information or if you have a question, please get in touch with the New Shoots team. 

Speak to the team

Email: [email protected]

See the range of options on offer

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Learn about the initiative to promote horticultural careers

What is New Shoots?

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.