Horticultural training

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Horticultural training at the RHS

The RHS provides a range of training opportunities at its gardens at Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire for young people embarking on a vocational career and for people making a new career. These opportunities are:

• The Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture [WDPH] (see below)
• The One Year Specialist Option Certificates at Wisley [SOC] (see below)
• Voluntary (unpaid) internships (see below)
• Schools-related work experience (see below)
• Training Opportunities at Harlow Carr [CPH]
• Training Opportunities at Hyde Hall [SOC]
• Training Opportunities at Rosemoor [CPH]
• Continuing Professional Development

The Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture

This is a two year course of paid work experience and academic studies, validated by a practical examination at the end of the programme. Successful candidates will be entitled to use the designation Dip. Hort. (Wisley) after their names, and will be able to sit the written part of the RHS Diploma in Horticulture examination (as an additional qualification) after the course finishes.
Find out more about the Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture

The One Year Specialist Option Certificate

This is a 12-month programme of paid work experience offered in six different disciplines:

• Ornamental Horticulture
• Fruit Cultivation
• Rock & Alpine Gardening
• Orchid Culture & Glasshouse Technique
• Estate Management with Arboriculture
• Plant Centre Management Skills

All of the above programmes start in early September; applications must be made by 31 January in the year of anticipated entry. Applicants will be expected to have completed a foundation course in horticulture, but may also be those seeking post-graduate practical experience. Application forms are available in October - December from The Horticultural Training Officer at the address below, or download one from the course details page.

Voluntary internships

These are available for bona fide students of horticulture who require short-term work experience from between four weeks and three months.
For further information contact Tim Hughes, Principal Horticultural Training Officer; contact details below.

Schools-related work experience

This is offered to Year 10 & 11 students in blocks of one or two weeks. Training and career guidance is also available on-site.

Applications can be considered at any time of year, but there is usually a long waiting list. Candidates are advised to make applications in good time.

For further details regarding voluntary internships or schools-related work experience please send a large SAE (C5) or international reply coupon to:
Tim Hughes, Principal Horticultural Training Officer, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB, UK.

Useful links

Grow – The Guide to Careers in Horticulture

Growcareers.info is a new website providing information on the varied careers within the horticulture sector. From plant science and technology to careers in garden design and landscaping, Grow provides extensive information on the range of fantastic career opportunities that horticulture has to offer.

Other institutes also offer vocational training courses: