Amenity horticulturist : Training

Training varies from minimal on-the-job training to well-structured graduate training schemes and in-house training programmes. Some employers provide opportunities to take management qualifications and health and safety training.

The big names in horticulture offer a variety of on-the-job training schemes covering a wide range of practical experience and horticultural theory. For example, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)  runs the two-year Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew  offers a three-year apprenticeship and a one-year traineeship, and the National Trust  has a three-year Careership programme.

There has been a marked increase in the number of distance-learning courses in horticulture, which often appeal to career changers. Most distance-learning courses do not have a practical element, so learners must organise their own work experience if they hope to compete in the job market.

Graduates aiming for senior management and technical posts or to become head gardeners or technical consultants should look for employers who will provide the training necessary to obtain BASIS (Registration) Limited  and Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS)  qualifications. BASIS is an independent organisation set up by the agricultural and horticultural industries to provide training and maintain professional standards in certain areas of relevant activity.

Professional organisations, such as the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) , offer tailored training solutions to employers of amenity horticulturists and grounds maintenance professionals. The Institute of Horticulture (IoH)  offers a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme, which is open to its members and leads to enlistment in the IoH Roll of Registered Horticulturists.