Plant the seeds for your future career
LIKE working in the garden? Well, you can put those green fingers to good use with a career in horticulture.
‘ There is high demand, because of Brexit, for workers in horticulture, ranging from fruit-pickers to managers for garden centres and nurseries and research scientists,’ says Matthew Appleby from horticulturejobs.co.uk.
Abi cain, a plants and landscapes assistant at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, hampshire, says: ‘ There is nothing more satisfying than planting a seed and watching it grow and develop.’
she is working on the zoo’s new tropical house, which will combine a rainforest exhibit and a living laboratory.
‘i have gone from basic gardening at home with a passion for horticulture, to being part of planning a giant tropical house,’ says Abi, 18. ‘i helped plan the positioning of the plants, the soil levels and how to get the plants from the lorries inside. now all the plants are in place, it’s a huge achievement.
‘We will be growing cotton and pineapple — things people consume, so they can fully appreciate the natural world. We will grow our own fruit in the tropical house, too. i already take care of the vegetable patch at Marwell to provide vegetables for the restaurant and the animals.
‘it was amazing seeing it go from paper to practice and being part of a team where everyone has responsibilities.’
Abi gained a Level 2 Diploma in Practical horticulture after a 12-month apprenticeship in partnership with sparsholt college in hampshire. ‘ i’ve developed people skills, the ability to listen and learn and i’ve become more confident, more motivated and have made a lot of friends,’ she adds.
James cretney, chief executive of Marwell Zoo, says: ‘ With the building of the tropical house, part-funded by a £1.5 million grant from the Local enterprise Partnership, we have been able to create 17 new jobs in the zoo.’
routes into horticulture include apprenticeships, degrees and on- the- job training. specialist institutions include capel Manor and sparsholt colleges and the royal horticultural society.