Trainee Gardener - Historic & Botanic Garden Training Programme
Location: Placement Garden
Salary: From £12.21 per hour minimum after 1st April 2025 (salaries are dependent on placement garden)
Job Type: Fixed Term Contract
Ref: 15803
Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.
Established in 2006, the Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) is managed by English Heritage and offers garden traineeships at a range of outstanding placement gardens.
The HBGTP accepts applications on an annual basis, this year we are recruiting for 17 new trainees to join professional garden teams at various locations around the UK. Positions are full-time and fixed term lasting 12 months.
Are you a committed gardener, looking to take the next step into a career in horticulture? This is an incredible opportunity for an enthusiastic person to gain practical paid experience within an historic or botanic garden. The role will enable you as a trainee to experience a broad range of activities, helping to develop your practical skills and increase your horticultural knowledge!
As a trainee, you will also benefit from being part of a cohort, enabling you to communicate, network, and potentially visit other trainees in their gardens. All placement gardens contain experienced teams of three or more gardeners, who will guide you through the year helping to broaden your skills and build your confidence.
Trainees also benefit from a fully funded four-day Autumn Trainee Seminar and a three-day Summer Study Tour. Both provide the opportunity to visit some terrific gardens, attend expert guest lectures, and network with other trainees.
As an HBGTP trainee, you will work outside full-time in the garden, obtaining specialist on-the-tools training whilst immersing yourself in the heritage and beauty of one of Britain's finest gardens.
During your placement, you will complete 3 written projects, keep a daily technical journal, and undertake regular plant identification tests.
By working alongside the gardening team through the seasons, you will develop your practical skills and increase your technical knowledge. Full support and training will be given, allowing you to develop your love of horticulture into a blooming career!
Minimum Requirements:
1. Previous practical experience (this can be paid or voluntary)
2. Interest and commitment to work in the sector
3. Basic gardening skills that a placement could develop or enhance
4. Self-motivation and ambition
When applying, you will be asked to select your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of placement garden. Or for those who fancy an adventure, you can leave your choices open and select 'any'! Further information on our placement gardens can be found in the attached 'HBGTP Trainee Placements 2025-2026' brochure.
Shortlisting will be conducted by HBGTP employees and representatives from the placement gardens. Therefore, information on your application will be shared with external representatives outside of English Heritage but will strictly not be used for any other purpose.
Interviews will be held throughout May in the various placement gardens across the UK.
We would be delighted to hear from you if you would like to talk to us about this role before you apply. Please contact Elinor Davies, HBGTP Manager, on elinor.davies@english-heritage.org.uk. No agencies please.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
Further Information:
Please see attached 'HBGTP Trainee Placements 2025-2026' brochure for further information on the various existing placement locations.
You can find out more about the HBG Training Programme by visiting https://hbgtp.org.uk/.
You can also find out more about English Heritage by visiting https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/.
You will need to refer to the following documents when completing your application.
#J-18808-Ljbffr