The Placement Experience
We offer a unique chance to upgrade your skills through practical horticultural experience in historic and botanic gardens throughout the UK.
FAQs:
- Do I get paid? You will be paid a salary no less than the National Minimum Wage. There may also be local benefits and arrangements that may be to your advantage.
- Is there accommodation? Sadly, most of the gardens cannot supply accommodation. Trainees generally find a room in a local house/village. Sometimes there are opportunities to share with other trainees or staff. Each site varies. But the cost of accommodation does come down to the trainee.
- Do I get annual leave? You will be employed as a member of staff for that year with the annual leave and the usual benefits of a one year contract.
- Do I get a qualification? On completion of the placement you will receive an HBGBS Certificate of Attendance. This is not a qualification but a record that you have one year's practical experience in a great UK garden - and that's worth something! Your diary, research projects, NOS units and plant identification tests provide a portfolio of evidence of practical skills and experience that all contribute towards your future career development.
- Is additional training offered? HBGBS trainees will work to a structured training plan and receive on-site training and mentoring throughout their 12 month placement. Most gardens are not able to provide accommodation. This is something you will have to find once you have been offered a placement. The garden staff will help you with their local knowledge
As well as gaining the essential practical experience of a full years' gardening in a great garden we also try to pack as much learning as possible. During the 12 months of the placement a trainee is committed to undertaking a few additional tasks:
Diary:
During your placement year you will keep a daily technical diary recording the practical tasks that you have undertaken. We encourage you to include photographs and drawings to make this diary a record that may provide a valuable reference to you in your future career. Your Supervisor will look over your diary with you every few weeks and check that you have fully understood the technical details involved in the tasks you have done.
Projects:
You will be asked to complete 4 projects. These are to be original research that stretches you to find the sources for horticultural information e.g. the Lindley Library, Gardeners Chronicle and the current useful websites for horticultural research. The supervisor will also guide you as to which topics to choose for your four projects – it will need to be something relevant to the garden you are based in. You will be given access to a computer and the internet and you may be given a little time each week to undertake your research.
Plant idents:
A key skill for any gardener is their plant knowledge. You are asked to identify 10-15 new plants each week. You can make as little or as much of this as you choose but the least you will achieve is the certain knowledge of 500 new plant names.
National Occupational Standards (NOS):
Trainees will also undertake 4 National Occupation Standard units (Level 3) (see www.Lantra.co.uk). The NOS are a framework of standards that are nationally recognised. We target level 3, a fairly senior standard equal to the skills expected of a Head Gardener. When you have decided on your four units you will be taught the level 3 standard of that task and assessed on your competence by a skilled member of staff.
Clearly you will be doing some home work!
To discuss this opportunity contact the HBGBS Scheme Coordinator:
or
telephone 01737 244 664.