Practical Skills

Horticulture is generally divided into two main sectors – commercial and amenity.

The commercial horticulture sector covers production of crops for sale both edible and ornamental products, for example wholesale tree production comes into this commercial sector. Amenity horticulture is concerned with garden design, soft and hard landscaping, interior landscaping, local authority public areas, private gardens, roadside areas, sports grounds and other recreation facilities.

New entrants to horticulture are frequently given on-the-job training, supplemented with day – release at a local college. This will usually lead to a level 2 NVQ qualification.

Supervisory positions usually require qualifications at National Certificate or Diploma level, or a part-time qualification such as NVQ Level 3. Suitable experience is also a key factor for supervisory roles.

Management positions usually require qualifications at National or Higher National Diploma level and relevant experience will also be required.

Grounds staff maintain sports grounds for schools, colleges and sports clubs. They need to be skilled in using a wide range of turf maintenance equipment.. Relevant qualifications includes the NVQ Level 2 or National Certificate in Amenity Horticulture.

Greenkeepers work in the maintainance and of fine sports-turf in golf and bowling clubs. They will also be trained to identify and treat soil and pest diseases affecting turf. Suitable qualification include NVQ Level 2 in Greenkeeping and SportsTurf Management. Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) registration would provide a pre-requisite for this type of carreer. Those aiming to become assistant head or head greenkeepers should aim for GTC/NVQ Level 3 in Golf Course Supervision.

Nursery Production covers a range of ornamental plants including trees, shrubs, bulbs, bedding plants and fruit and vegetable plants. Suitable qualifications required are NVQ Level 2 in Horticulture Crop Production or a National Certificate in Horticulture.

Garden Centre Staff work and manage retail garden centres. In addition to plant knowledge (for outdoor sales areas) or product knowledge (for indoor sales areas) other skills required are merchandising, sales skills and advising customers. NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture is common at entry level to this sector. National or Higher National Diploma level would be expected for those in management positions.

Entry requirements for horticulture courses range from no formal qualifications to 2 or 3 A levels plus GCSE in 3 other subjects for degree courses.

As a rough guide entry requirements are:

NVQ Level 2
Amenity Horticulture
Nursery Stock Production
No minimum academic requirement.
Satisfactory standard of literacy and numeracy. Should normally be in relevant employment, or willing to undertake a work experience placement.

GTC/NVQ Level 2
Greenkeeping and Sports Management
Satisfactory standard of literacy and numeracy. Work experience in the sports-turf industry.

NVQ Level 3
Amenity Horticulture Management
Good level of literacy, numeracy and technical knowledge and experience in the amenity sector at supervisory level.

GTC Certification/NVQ Level 3
Golf Course Supervision
NVQ Level 2 in Greenkeeping and sports-turf Management and experience in the Greenkeeping sector.

National Certificate Amenity Horticulture
No formal requirements but a good standard of education needed.

National Diploma Amenity Horticulture
4 GCSE passes or National Certificate in Horticulture (credit) or equivalent.

Higher National Diploma
With options in Amenity and Commercial Horticulture
One A level pass and one other A level subject studied plus 4 GCSE passes of National Diploma in Horticulture or equivalent.

Degree Course
2/3 A levels plus GCSE in 3 other subjects. GCSEs A-C: biology, chemistry, maths. A levels: biology and/or chemistry preferred. Specific requirements vary between courses - check prospectuses

Main UK Based Centres

Askham Bryan College - Yorkshire
www.askham-bryan.ac.uk

Bicton College – Devon
www.bicton.ac.uk

Bridgwater College - Centre for Land Based Studies. Cannington, Somerset
www.bridgwater.ac.uk

Capel Manor College - Middlesex
www.capelmanorcollege.co.uk

Greenmount College – Antrim. Northern Ireland
www.greenmount.ac.uk

Hadlow College - Kent
www.hadlow.ac.uk

Kew's School of Horticulture - London
www.kew.org/education/kewdip.html

Merrist Wood College - Surrey
www.merristwood.ac.uk

Myerscough College - Lancashire
www.myerscough.ac.uk

Newton Rigg College - Cumbria
www.newtonrigg.ac.uk

Otley College - Suffolk
www.otleycollege.ac.uk

Pershore College - Worcestershire
www.pershore.ac.uk

University of Reading School of Plant Sciences - Berkshire
www.plantsci.rdg.ac.uk

RHS Garden Wisley - Surrey
www.rhs.org.uk/education

Sparsholt - Hampshire
www.sparsholt.ac.uk

Writtle College - Chelmsford
www.writtle.ac.uk

For a list of centres throughout the world follow this link
www.gradschools.com/listings/out/horticulture_out.html

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