This placement provides the opportunity to spend a full year immersed in a particular garden department, studying a specific group of plants, garden practice or style. You will gain knowledge, experience, skills and training in your specialism, in a work-based context, to prepare you for professional life in the industry.
The Edibles and Productive Horticulture Professional Work Placement candidate works alongside the team to inspire visitors to “grow their own”, creating and maintaining displays of produce in the World Food Garden, including glasshouses. You will develop skills in growing and maintaining an extensive range of traditional and non-traditional fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. There will be opportunities to get involved in harvesting, ensuring fresh produce is delivered to the restaurant and shared with our visitors via the donation stand.
You will help to create seasonal displays and engage with visitors during events such as Festival of Flavours and Tickle Your Tastebuds, as well as leading groups of volunteers, students and apprentices on tasks within Edibles.
You will assist the team in the ongoing redevelopment of the wider edible landscape as we diversify planting to include a wide range of top and soft fruits, ornamentals and cut flowers.
There will be opportunities to engage in sustainable horticultural practices that build soil health, creating habitat complexity and supporting biodiversity.
During the placement you will complete horticultural research culminating in a project write up and submission for the RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation (funded by the RHS). In order to achieve the qualification, you will also be required to attend several online sessions (either live or recordings) over a period of 9 months and complete a professional discussion.
Safeguarding and Inclusion:
The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Further Information:
You must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role. Unfortunately, the RHS is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
As part of the Professional Work Placement programme successful applicants will study for the new RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation qualification. To be eligible applicants must not hold or be studying for a Level 3 Diploma (or equivalent) in Horticulture or above.
Accommodation is available at RHS Garden Wisley (for a deduction in your gross salary). Accommodation comprises of single rooms with shared kitchen and lounge facilities. This accommodation is located in Wisley village and is managed by the RHS Wisley Facilities team.
Applications closing date 11th April.
For further information, or if you would like a copy of this document in a different format, please contact schoolofhorticulture@rhs.org.uk.