RHS Apprenticeships

Get the skills and qualifications you need for a career in horticulture with our apprenticeship programmes

Are you interested in learning about plants, gardening or horticulture, but new to the industry? Our Apprenticeships are aimed at young people beginning their career in horticulture or arboriculture.

Our full-time apprenticeships are suitable for anyone looking to enter the industry, you don’t need any formal qualifications to apply just a love of the outdoors, plants and nature. If you already have existing experience and qualifications, please check out our other Work-Based Training programmes as these may be more suitable to progress your career in the industry.

Earn while you learn

Apprentices are paid at or above the National Minimum Wage, which is reviewed annually by government. You will work full-time alongside the garden teams receiving workplace support from a garden manager and the School of Horticulture.  

Complete a Level 2 (equivalent to a GCSE) or a Level 3 (equivalent to an A Level) apprenticeship qualification at college

Achieve the practical skills you need to start your career through learning in our gardens, alongside studying at college (which may involve travel and staying away from home). Whilst studying at college you will receive learning support from the tutor team.

Applications are now closed

Applications for Apprenticeships across all five RHS Gardens are now closed.
Our next recruitment will open in spring 2026.

A choice of apprenticeships

Explore our various opportunities

Horticultural Operative Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Arborist Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Horticultural Supervisor Apprenticeship (Level 3)

As an RHS apprentice you will

  • Be inspired by, and learn from, our people and gardens
  • Progress and develop skills and knowledge by learning in our gardens and at college. Training for the apprenticeship is provided at the RHS garden and through the college training provider over two or three years (as applicable)

  • Train to become a horticulturist or arborist of the future (depending on programme) at a prestigious RHS garden
  • Grow your practical understanding, knowledge and skills to help you to progress or find employment within the industry after your training has finished

Working in the garden

Apprentices are employed on a two or three-year fixed-term contract (depending on apprenticeship). You must have the right to work in England for the duration of the placement to apply for any apprenticeship*

  • This is a full-time work-based training programme (37.5 hours per week on rota). The rota is a 5 in 7 so the full time hours will include some weekend working
  • Unfortunately, we are unable to offer our apprenticeships on a part-time basis

Learning takes place in the garden as well as at college, where you study for Ofqual accredited LANTRA Apprenticeship Qualifications.

  • Depending on which apprenticeship you undertake your college course will be delivered as either day release or as residential lecture blocks and may involve travel and staying away from home
  • Applicants should take note if their apprenticeship takes place by block release that this method of study requires you to stay away from your home for a minimum of three and up to six working weeks per year
  • Accommodation, food and transport costs for study blocks at college are funded by the RHS
*Additionally, to qualify for apprenticeship funding, UK nationals and those with the right to abode must have been resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship.

As a horticultural apprentice you will work on rotation through all the garden departments, allowing you to experience the wide range of garden types and seasonal activities. (Arborist apprentices remain on placement with their specialist teams throughout the apprenticeship.)

  • Each apprentice is supported by a Garden Manager and key contacts within the Curatorial and School of Horticulture Teams
  • You work alongside experienced RHS staff in the garden, learning about the day-to-day cultivation and/or maintenance of the garden, tree collections or machinery (as applicable) across the year

Transport and accommodation

  • Apprentices must find their own way to work, however, each garden will have flexibility in enabling access around public transport
  • Accommodation is not available for apprentices at any of the RHS gardens

Applications are now closed

Applications for Apprenticeships across all five RHS Gardens are now closed.
Our next recruitment will open in spring 2026.


Got a question for the Apprenticeship team?

Get in touch with our dedicated team and they’ll help get you started:
 


Email: [email protected]

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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.