Environment

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Horticulture
• Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a horticultural and landscape operative intermediate apprenticeship.

You can also do a packhouse line leader advanced apprenticeship, if you're working on a horticultural production line, for example picking and packing plants and flowers to order.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Direct application

You could apply directly for jobs in a nursery or garden centre. There are no set requirements but employers will expect you to have a keen interest in plants and horticulture. Experience or qualifications in gardening, horticulture or retail work would be helpful.

More information

Further information

You can get more advice about careers in horticulture from Grow Careers.

With experience you could become a nursery supervisor.

You may be able to move into horticultural technician work or garden centre management by completing industry qualifications like those from the Royal Horticultural Society.